BEST to augment fleet of buses on Coastal Road; Aims to connect two iconic tourist destinations | Mumbai News

MUMBAI: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) plans to deploy additional buses on the coastal road, with the dual objective of providing swifter transportation and linking two prominent tourist hotspots — Haji Ali and Marine Drive, a senior official revealed on Wednesday.
“We inaugurated the A-78 AC electric bus service on July 12, which has garnered an encouraging response over the past few days, with nearly 2000 passengers commuting and generating over Rs 10,000 in ticket revenue.By offering frequent bus services, tourists can conveniently travel from Haji Ali junction to Marine Drive bus stop in approximately 10 minutes, and vice versa,” the official stated.
The AC bus, with an economical fare of merely Rs 6 for a 5 km journey, can also be utilized by tourists to commute from Haji Ali to Mahalaxmi/Byculla station to board trains.
Currently, numerous tourists are compelled to rely on taxis that charge exorbitant share fares for travel to nearby railway stations such as Mahalaxmi or Byculla.
For a mere Rs. 6, the bus commences its route from NCPA, traversing through the tunnel on the dedicated bus lane. It exits the coastal road at the Bhulabhai Desai Road and proceeds towards Byculla Station via Breach Candy, Haji Ali Junction, Race Course, Mahalaxmi Station, and Saat Rasta (Jacob Circle).
In the vicinity of NCPA, there is typically a high frequency of A-115 BEST buses destined for CST station, and the SPL-9 bus bound for Churchgate.
Ajay Shah, a passenger boarding from NCPA, remarked, “This is my inaugural ride on this bus, purely for leisure.” During peak hours, the A-78 witnesses increased crowding at the Parsi General Hospital and Racecourse stops, particularly with employees from the children’s hospital.
“The buses become notably crowded at Breach Candy,” several passengers observed during their commute.
The air-conditioned bus, equipped with an electric engine and with security features such as CCTV cams, SOS switch, hammer to break window glass in emergency etc , offers a comfortable and smooth ride.
The enhanced connectivity to south Mumbai is particularly advantageous for passengers who commute for work daily, said the bus conductor.
The first bus from NCPA departs at 8:50 am, while the last bus leaves at 9 pm. Similarly, the first bus from Byculla station West commences at 8 am, with the last bus departing at 8:50 pm. The bus fare ranges from a minimum of Rs 6 to a maximum of Rs 19, depending on distance traversed, the official added.