Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport
BEST Undertaking
Type Industry Founded
Autonomous Stateowned enterprise Public transport, Electricity Mumbai (1873)
Headquarter Mumbai, India s Key people Products Revenue Employees Website O.P.Gupta, General Manager Bus, Electricity Rs. 2,353.40 (2010) 44,000 (2010) www.bestundertaking.c om
INTRODUCTION: The BEST (Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport) is Mumbai's public transport service and electricity provider. Established in 1873, the BEST operates one of India's largest fleets of buses. Originally setup as a tramway company: Bombay Electric Supply & Tramways Company, the BEST set up a captive thermal power station at Wadi bunder, Bombay in November 1905 to generate electricity for its trams. That positioned it to also supply electricity to the city of Bombay. From 1926 the BEST started operating motor buses. In 1947, a week prior to India gaining independence, the BEST became an Undertaking of theMunicipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. It now operates as an autonomous body. The bus transport service covers the entire city and also extends its operations outside city limits into neighbouring Navi Mumbai, Thane and Mira-Bhayandar. In addition to buses, it also operates a ferry service in the northern reaches of the city. The electricity division of the organisation is also one of the few electricity departments in India to garner an annual net profit The Mumbai BRTS is a Bus Rapid Transit System taken up in 2008 by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, B.E.S.T Undertaking, and Government of Maharashtra to ease the traffic conditions of the city of Mumbai, and to make public transport systems in the city safer. The BRTS fleet consists of the BEST Undertaking's CNG powered King Long buses, Tata Starbuses, and Tata Marcopolo Buses. There are currently seven routes.[20] Besides buses, BEST also operates a ferry service since 1981 in northern Mumbai, across theManori Creek. The barges operate at regular intervals across the shallow creek linking Manori toMalad.
II)CUSTOMER SERVICES IN BEST
1)Fare:
The BEST have several different options to pay the fares for the bus. The fares vary depending on the type. Paper Tickets are valid only for single journey. Commuter also have the option to buy Daily pass, Distance-wise bus pass values and Zonal pass. Students are eligible for discounts on monthly and quarterly passes and senior citizens for discounts on weekly, fortnightly, monthly and quarterly passes.
a) Single Journey Fares:
Single Journey Fares are valid only for single trip between any two points. They are issued on paper ticket by the bus conductor. All fare payments must be made in cash. The fare depends on distance of the destination. Single Journey fare are not valid for transfers. Ordinary and Limited bus service have same fares.
b) Distance-wise bus pass values:
Distance bus value pass are valid only between two destination (on km basis) on Ordinary/Limited bus service. Unlimited rides and transfer are available between opted destination except for single rides. The bus pass are valid for travel between any two destinations up to a distance of maximum 15 Kilometers. The commuter can opt for maximum two travel patterns for distance up to maximum 15 kilometers for each travel pattern.
c) Zonal Pass:
Zonal Passes can be purchased according to the service type. Except for City limit and Suburban limit pass, all other passes are valid for entire BEST bus operational area. 2) Additional services offered by best : Now there is a recent addition to the services offered by the best buses to the public specially the women . they have started the ‘ladies special ‘for girl students and the working and non working women. The distinguished point here is that the conductors in these bus are ladies conductors. So that the ladies can travel calmly ithout the hustle and bustle and with a little low crowd. To provide safe, efficient, affordable and courteous passenger services at an economic fare. This part will further be elaborated upon later in the project. 3) The common citizen of Mumbai is obviously not aware of many surprising features of the BEST's Bus Service. Just to state a few examples :
Bus Route No. 166 - plies on roads interconnecting maximum Hospitals. Bus Route No. 161 - This route covers on the way maximum Oil Reservoirs and unpopulated areas in Eastern wings of the city. Bus Route No. 9 - A network of large number of school and colleges is interwoven by this route. Bus Route No. 320, 22ltd., 25ltd. - These routes have an outstanding feature of connecting two largest water reservoirs of the city. Bus Route No. 66Ltd – Special Night Trips are available on this bus route.
IV)New Projects
1) COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) BUS
The demand for petroleum products in India has been increasing at a rate higher than the increase in domestic availability. At the same time there is continuous pressure on emission control through periodically tightened regulations particularly for metropolitan cities. In the wake of this situation there is an urgent need to promote use of alternative fuel as substitute for HSD. Among the options Compressed Natural Gas has received a great deal of attention and has been already applied successfully to some of the BEST buses (first time in India). The BEST is planning to increase the strength of CNG buses in its fleet. A few salient features of cng buses are: CNG can be used in the existing SI/CI engines with minor modifications. Availability in abundance. CNG is a clear burning fuel, with no black smoke and very low particulate emissions. Thus CNG engine is environmental friendly. CNG being lighter than air, diffuses upwards. CNG is very safe fuel due to its very narrow flammability limits. Excellent knock resistant, lower compression ratio. Lower rates of pressure rise and low peak cylinder pressures. Low noise level of the engine. This will add to passenger comfort.
2) A/C LUXURY BUS
In an honest effort to attract the private vehicle owners to BEST buses and thereby reduce the congestion to some extent on Mumbai city roads, which affects the mobility of vehicles, BEST has introduced 71 Air-conditioned buses, including 20 newly introduced King Long make buses. The salient features of these buses are Luxury seats with soft transo fabric. Completely Air-conditioned passenger saloon (for A/C Buses) Carpeted flooring Jack-knife doors at entrance and exit Wide corridor for easy movement. Stanchion bars for safe movement in the corridor (for Luxury Buses) Thermocole stuffing between inner and outer panelling to reduce saloon temperature and dampen the vibrations.
3) LOW FLOOR BUSES
We have received demands from various section of the society, who are
working for the welfare of physically handicapped, regarding need for introducing Low Floor buses in the city of Mumbai. In response to these demands and suggestion, BEST has launched the trial run of Low Floor buses provided by TELCO
4) Bus Pass Scheme:-
The scheme of Bus Passes was introduced in BEST Undertaking w.e.f. 2nd January 2007. The Bus Passes are in form of Smart Card, which, is a plastic card resembling to Debit/Credit Cards of Banks with a built in electronic chip that stores information of validity period of the bus pass, the destinations of travel permitted on the pass, value of the bus pass, and passenger’s Identity Card number. Conductors working inside the buses / Inspectors posted for checking the passenger tickets validate these bus passes with the help of a Hand Held Terminal (HHT). These Smart Cards are contact less cards and can be validated by Bus Conductors / Inspectors by simply holding these Smart Cards close to the HHT. The screen on HHT displays the validity period of the pass, the permitted destinations for travel on bus pass & the I-Card Number of the Pass Holder. Passenger can charge (purchase / renew) these Smart Cards for different types of passes at any of the convenient Service Delivery Points (SDP) located at various important Bus Chowkies & Bus Depots in the City. At a time passenger can load more than one type of bus pass on the same Smart Card as per his requirements. The entire activity of issuing / renewing bus passes (Smart Cards) is outsourced. 5) Installation of P.C.O.s in BEST Buses : The purpose of fitting P.C.O.s inside BEST buses was one of the measures enlisted in the actions to be taken under Disaster so to provide them means of communication. This will also yield Non Operating Revenue to the Undertaking
6) Installation of cctv cameras in BEST
Vodafone Drop Boxes and Buses :
M/s. Vodafone Ltd. have installed their Drop Boxes in BEST buses. One drop box is installed per bus behind the drivers cabin area. Vodafone customers drop their payment cheques in these boxes and BEST gets Non Operating Revenue towards fixed rental charges and cheques collection charges per bus every month. .
7) Grab
Handles on BEST Buses :
M/s. Admire Sign & Display Pvt. Ltd., a firm engaged in business of advertising has replaced the old grab handles with those of international design and standard. These Grab Handles are patented product and would be maintained by them. The space on grab handles will be sold by them as an advertisement space at their cost and the revenue will be shared with BEST on a fixed income per bus per month basis
8) SOPERATION OF MIDI (mini) BUSES:
The areas in which it was not possible for the BEST to operate the conventional buses due to narrow roads, the BEST has introduced Midi Buses at such places. It thus goes on with its ultimate aim of providing a BEST bus service to every nook and corner of the city.
I)Facilities Provided
BEST believes that it has a social obligation towards the city where it has grown. As such it is felt essential to provide concession to certain sections of society. A few schemes are listed below. Free Travel Facility: Presently, the BEST provides free travel facility to the freedom fighters. One person accompanying the freedom fighter is also permitted to travel free. Municipal Councilors and Non-Councilor Members of the BEST Committee are also permitted to travel free on BEST buses. Adhoc Members of Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, accompanied by his wife and Female Members accompanied by any one viz. husband, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister are allowed to travel free on BEST buses. Police personnel are allowed to travel free on BEST buses against an ad-hoc payment of compensation towards free travel facility by the Government of Maharashtra. This facility of free travel however is not available on Luxury and Air-Conditioned services. Concessional Fare: Children below 12 years of age are charged concessional fare. Student studying upto Higher Secondary and upto the age of 22 years are charged concessional fare. Persons who are 60 % and above, permanently Orthopaedically handicapped are charged concessional fare. Blind persons are charged a flat fare of Re.1/- per journey. Concessional fare facility is not available on Luxury and Air-Conditioned Services. Reservation of Seats: The BEST has reserved 3 seats for handicapped person , 2 seats for Senior Citizens and 6 seats for lady passengers in the Single Decker buses. In the Double Decker buses it has reserved 3 seats each for lady passengers and handicapped persons and 2 seats for Senior Citizens. Front Door Entry: The BEST have permitted physically and mentally handicapped persons, senior citizens, and expectant mothers to board the bus from the front door except at starting point.
Passenger Refund Claims: In case the conductor does not have enough change to return the balance of the passenger, he writes on the back of the ticket the amount of balance due and authenticates the same. Such a ticket is treated as a receipt by the BEST. The passenger can claim the balance amount from Ticket & Cash Department, head office at Wadala after producing the ticket. Disaster Management: In the event of disruption of rail services the BEST operates additional buses in the area of disruption. Timely actions are taken with the help of our communication system.
III)SALIENT FEATURES OF THE TRAFFIC OPERATIONS
Zero Waiting Time Plan: The BEST operates buses with Zero Waiting Time concept on different routes during the Morning and Evening peak hours to have faster clearance of heavy passenger traffic outside Railway Stations and major residential/commercial/CBD Areas. The BEST ensures that a bus is always waiting for a passenger rather than having it the other way round. The plan is designed keeping in mind the volume/period of traffic with a view to encourage use of Public Transport and discourage use of private and Intermediate Personal Transport modes like Taxis and Autorickshaws. The important points of operation are Bhatia Baug, NCPA, World Trade Center, etc. Excursion Action Plans: : The city of Mumbai has various Excursion points where heavy passenger traffic is generated from the City and Suburbs during Weekends and Holidays. To cater with the heavy demand of the passengers, the BEST operates Excursion Action Plans on various routes on Sundays/Holidays.
Some of the Action Plans are Juhu Chowpatty Action Plan, National Park Action Plan etc.lan etc. Festival Action Plans: Mumbai being a cosmopolitan city its citizens celebrate their festivals with gaiety and pomp. The BEST operates special buses during the festivals like Ganapati Festival, Diwali Festival, Bandra Mount Merry Festival, Erangal Festival Christmas and New Year Eve. Also on special occasions like various pre-planned rallys organized by the social bodies where huge crowd is expected, the Undertaking is operating special buses in consultation with the organizers. Ladies Special & Ladies First Services: In Order to reduce the hardships faced by the Lady commuters, while boarding the bus during the peak hours, the BEST has introduced Ladies Special Trips on heavily patronized routes. Similarly “Ladies First At Starting Points” trips are also provided to facilitate lady commuters.
DNA : 2011
LADIES SPECIAL BUS: BEST to launch four bus services exclusively for women from June 1; conductors aboard them will also be female.
"In our survey, we found that the areas chosen for the ladies special buses have more women passengers during peak hours, and they are inconvenienced by the rush," Shinde said. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport has finally caught up to the railways in setting aside services explicitly devoted to ladies. In a brand new move, the BEST will launch four new bus services exclusively for women from June 1, 2011. Sunil Shinde, chairman, BEST, said, "We will commence four ladies special buses on the four most crowded routes in the city from June 1, 2011. This is a good initiative, welcomed by most."
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
Power, supplied by the Tata Group is brought to the city across creeks in pylons like these.
I)INTRO Since 1926, the BEST has been sourcing its power from Tata Power, part of the Tata Groupconglomerate. The power cables are laid underground, which reduces pilferage and other losses that plague most other parts of India. The nominal rating of power supplied by BEST is 3-phase, 50 Hz, 220/110 kV. Unlike the transport company, the electricity department services only theMumbai City area, and not the suburbs. It provides power to over a million residential and commercial establishments and over 33,000 street lights within the city limits. As of 2000, BEST supplies a total of 700 MW (938,715 hp), with a consumption of 3,216 GWh (11,578 TJ).[21] The electricity department has 6,000 employees. The city has three 110 kV, twenty-two 33 kV and 22 kV substations. BEST has a distribution loss of around 10% (2001), among the lowest in India. In 2006, the RPS (Renewable purchase specificaiton) [22] framework came into force, which has made it mandatory for electricity providers to generate or purchase fixed percentage (6% for FY 2009–10) of their power through renewable sources. To comply with this act, BEST plans to installphotovoltaic cells in each of its 25 depots. They also plan to use solar power in gardens and street lighting where the demand is low. Another option being considered is the possibility of using the 7,000 tonnes (6,889 long tons; 7,716 short tons) of garbage disposed by the city on a daily basis, which can be potentially used to generate 350 megawatts (469,358 hp) of electricity.[23]
II)New projects
BEST in its Endeavour to give still better and fault free service, has
II)Billing Procedure
The bills are sent monthly to Industrial and Commercial consumers and bi-monthly to Residential consumers. The bills are payable within the prescribed time limit of 15 days at any of the 39 bill collection centres and 21 authorised banks. Delay in making payment attracts Delayed Payment charges at 0.5% per week or part thereof. The consumer should note that he should intimate to B.E.S.T. about less consumption of electrical energy while going out of station. Attending to billing complaints are as per details given below. A. BILLING: Meter reading Large HV & LV consumers Once in every month on scheduled dates and bimonthly for residential & commercial consumer. Once every month for Large HT & LV consumer and commercial consumer. and bimonthly for residential consumers. Immediately. Immediately.
Issue of Elect.bills.
Issue of duplicate bills Complaints made on personal visit regarding billing will be sorted out Final reply to the consumer. Within 2 months. B. DEFECTIVE METERS.: Testing of defective meter Communication of testing result to consumer. Replacement of defective
Within 15 days after receiving Official Testing 1 Week. 2 Weeks.
Electric meter. C. COMPLAINTS.: Complaints/Enquiries will be attended personally by. 1. Ward officers. 2. Supervisors. Attending to complaints by Supdt.of respective zone. Redressal of grievances of consumers by 1. Chief Engineer. 2. Dy.General Manager(S) D. MISCELLANEOUS.: Disconnection of meter on request of the consumer. Issue of final Bill Restoration of electricity after clearing of outstanding dues Within two days of application. 2 days. On the same day Every day
Every day between 2.00 PM to 4.00 PM By appointment.
E. REDRESSAL OF GRIEVANCES: Complaints are attended by following Complaints of descrepancies in consumption Complaints of defective meters Complaints of descrepancies in rates/amount Complaints of delay in delivery/receipt of bills. Refund of Ward officers and supervisor of respective ward. Ward officers and supervisor of respective ward. Ward officers and supervisor of respective ward. Ward officers and supervisor of respective ward. Ward officers and supervisor
Security/excessive billing Cases relating to Vacating flats
of respective ward. Ward officers and supervisor of respective ward.
If the grievance is not attended to satisfactorily, the consumer may meet Supdt. Consumers of respective Zones.
doc_156867502.docx
BEST Undertaking
Type Industry Founded
Autonomous Stateowned enterprise Public transport, Electricity Mumbai (1873)
Headquarter Mumbai, India s Key people Products Revenue Employees Website O.P.Gupta, General Manager Bus, Electricity Rs. 2,353.40 (2010) 44,000 (2010) www.bestundertaking.c om
INTRODUCTION: The BEST (Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport) is Mumbai's public transport service and electricity provider. Established in 1873, the BEST operates one of India's largest fleets of buses. Originally setup as a tramway company: Bombay Electric Supply & Tramways Company, the BEST set up a captive thermal power station at Wadi bunder, Bombay in November 1905 to generate electricity for its trams. That positioned it to also supply electricity to the city of Bombay. From 1926 the BEST started operating motor buses. In 1947, a week prior to India gaining independence, the BEST became an Undertaking of theMunicipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. It now operates as an autonomous body. The bus transport service covers the entire city and also extends its operations outside city limits into neighbouring Navi Mumbai, Thane and Mira-Bhayandar. In addition to buses, it also operates a ferry service in the northern reaches of the city. The electricity division of the organisation is also one of the few electricity departments in India to garner an annual net profit The Mumbai BRTS is a Bus Rapid Transit System taken up in 2008 by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, B.E.S.T Undertaking, and Government of Maharashtra to ease the traffic conditions of the city of Mumbai, and to make public transport systems in the city safer. The BRTS fleet consists of the BEST Undertaking's CNG powered King Long buses, Tata Starbuses, and Tata Marcopolo Buses. There are currently seven routes.[20] Besides buses, BEST also operates a ferry service since 1981 in northern Mumbai, across theManori Creek. The barges operate at regular intervals across the shallow creek linking Manori toMalad.
II)CUSTOMER SERVICES IN BEST
1)Fare:
The BEST have several different options to pay the fares for the bus. The fares vary depending on the type. Paper Tickets are valid only for single journey. Commuter also have the option to buy Daily pass, Distance-wise bus pass values and Zonal pass. Students are eligible for discounts on monthly and quarterly passes and senior citizens for discounts on weekly, fortnightly, monthly and quarterly passes.
a) Single Journey Fares:
Single Journey Fares are valid only for single trip between any two points. They are issued on paper ticket by the bus conductor. All fare payments must be made in cash. The fare depends on distance of the destination. Single Journey fare are not valid for transfers. Ordinary and Limited bus service have same fares.
b) Distance-wise bus pass values:
Distance bus value pass are valid only between two destination (on km basis) on Ordinary/Limited bus service. Unlimited rides and transfer are available between opted destination except for single rides. The bus pass are valid for travel between any two destinations up to a distance of maximum 15 Kilometers. The commuter can opt for maximum two travel patterns for distance up to maximum 15 kilometers for each travel pattern.
c) Zonal Pass:
Zonal Passes can be purchased according to the service type. Except for City limit and Suburban limit pass, all other passes are valid for entire BEST bus operational area. 2) Additional services offered by best : Now there is a recent addition to the services offered by the best buses to the public specially the women . they have started the ‘ladies special ‘for girl students and the working and non working women. The distinguished point here is that the conductors in these bus are ladies conductors. So that the ladies can travel calmly ithout the hustle and bustle and with a little low crowd. To provide safe, efficient, affordable and courteous passenger services at an economic fare. This part will further be elaborated upon later in the project. 3) The common citizen of Mumbai is obviously not aware of many surprising features of the BEST's Bus Service. Just to state a few examples :
Bus Route No. 166 - plies on roads interconnecting maximum Hospitals. Bus Route No. 161 - This route covers on the way maximum Oil Reservoirs and unpopulated areas in Eastern wings of the city. Bus Route No. 9 - A network of large number of school and colleges is interwoven by this route. Bus Route No. 320, 22ltd., 25ltd. - These routes have an outstanding feature of connecting two largest water reservoirs of the city. Bus Route No. 66Ltd – Special Night Trips are available on this bus route.
IV)New Projects
1) COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) BUS
The demand for petroleum products in India has been increasing at a rate higher than the increase in domestic availability. At the same time there is continuous pressure on emission control through periodically tightened regulations particularly for metropolitan cities. In the wake of this situation there is an urgent need to promote use of alternative fuel as substitute for HSD. Among the options Compressed Natural Gas has received a great deal of attention and has been already applied successfully to some of the BEST buses (first time in India). The BEST is planning to increase the strength of CNG buses in its fleet. A few salient features of cng buses are: CNG can be used in the existing SI/CI engines with minor modifications. Availability in abundance. CNG is a clear burning fuel, with no black smoke and very low particulate emissions. Thus CNG engine is environmental friendly. CNG being lighter than air, diffuses upwards. CNG is very safe fuel due to its very narrow flammability limits. Excellent knock resistant, lower compression ratio. Lower rates of pressure rise and low peak cylinder pressures. Low noise level of the engine. This will add to passenger comfort.
2) A/C LUXURY BUS
In an honest effort to attract the private vehicle owners to BEST buses and thereby reduce the congestion to some extent on Mumbai city roads, which affects the mobility of vehicles, BEST has introduced 71 Air-conditioned buses, including 20 newly introduced King Long make buses. The salient features of these buses are Luxury seats with soft transo fabric. Completely Air-conditioned passenger saloon (for A/C Buses) Carpeted flooring Jack-knife doors at entrance and exit Wide corridor for easy movement. Stanchion bars for safe movement in the corridor (for Luxury Buses) Thermocole stuffing between inner and outer panelling to reduce saloon temperature and dampen the vibrations.
3) LOW FLOOR BUSES
We have received demands from various section of the society, who are
working for the welfare of physically handicapped, regarding need for introducing Low Floor buses in the city of Mumbai. In response to these demands and suggestion, BEST has launched the trial run of Low Floor buses provided by TELCO
4) Bus Pass Scheme:-
The scheme of Bus Passes was introduced in BEST Undertaking w.e.f. 2nd January 2007. The Bus Passes are in form of Smart Card, which, is a plastic card resembling to Debit/Credit Cards of Banks with a built in electronic chip that stores information of validity period of the bus pass, the destinations of travel permitted on the pass, value of the bus pass, and passenger’s Identity Card number. Conductors working inside the buses / Inspectors posted for checking the passenger tickets validate these bus passes with the help of a Hand Held Terminal (HHT). These Smart Cards are contact less cards and can be validated by Bus Conductors / Inspectors by simply holding these Smart Cards close to the HHT. The screen on HHT displays the validity period of the pass, the permitted destinations for travel on bus pass & the I-Card Number of the Pass Holder. Passenger can charge (purchase / renew) these Smart Cards for different types of passes at any of the convenient Service Delivery Points (SDP) located at various important Bus Chowkies & Bus Depots in the City. At a time passenger can load more than one type of bus pass on the same Smart Card as per his requirements. The entire activity of issuing / renewing bus passes (Smart Cards) is outsourced. 5) Installation of P.C.O.s in BEST Buses : The purpose of fitting P.C.O.s inside BEST buses was one of the measures enlisted in the actions to be taken under Disaster so to provide them means of communication. This will also yield Non Operating Revenue to the Undertaking
6) Installation of cctv cameras in BEST
Vodafone Drop Boxes and Buses :
M/s. Vodafone Ltd. have installed their Drop Boxes in BEST buses. One drop box is installed per bus behind the drivers cabin area. Vodafone customers drop their payment cheques in these boxes and BEST gets Non Operating Revenue towards fixed rental charges and cheques collection charges per bus every month. .
7) Grab
Handles on BEST Buses :
M/s. Admire Sign & Display Pvt. Ltd., a firm engaged in business of advertising has replaced the old grab handles with those of international design and standard. These Grab Handles are patented product and would be maintained by them. The space on grab handles will be sold by them as an advertisement space at their cost and the revenue will be shared with BEST on a fixed income per bus per month basis
8) SOPERATION OF MIDI (mini) BUSES:
The areas in which it was not possible for the BEST to operate the conventional buses due to narrow roads, the BEST has introduced Midi Buses at such places. It thus goes on with its ultimate aim of providing a BEST bus service to every nook and corner of the city.
I)Facilities Provided
BEST believes that it has a social obligation towards the city where it has grown. As such it is felt essential to provide concession to certain sections of society. A few schemes are listed below. Free Travel Facility: Presently, the BEST provides free travel facility to the freedom fighters. One person accompanying the freedom fighter is also permitted to travel free. Municipal Councilors and Non-Councilor Members of the BEST Committee are also permitted to travel free on BEST buses. Adhoc Members of Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, accompanied by his wife and Female Members accompanied by any one viz. husband, son, daughter, father, mother, brother or sister are allowed to travel free on BEST buses. Police personnel are allowed to travel free on BEST buses against an ad-hoc payment of compensation towards free travel facility by the Government of Maharashtra. This facility of free travel however is not available on Luxury and Air-Conditioned services. Concessional Fare: Children below 12 years of age are charged concessional fare. Student studying upto Higher Secondary and upto the age of 22 years are charged concessional fare. Persons who are 60 % and above, permanently Orthopaedically handicapped are charged concessional fare. Blind persons are charged a flat fare of Re.1/- per journey. Concessional fare facility is not available on Luxury and Air-Conditioned Services. Reservation of Seats: The BEST has reserved 3 seats for handicapped person , 2 seats for Senior Citizens and 6 seats for lady passengers in the Single Decker buses. In the Double Decker buses it has reserved 3 seats each for lady passengers and handicapped persons and 2 seats for Senior Citizens. Front Door Entry: The BEST have permitted physically and mentally handicapped persons, senior citizens, and expectant mothers to board the bus from the front door except at starting point.
Passenger Refund Claims: In case the conductor does not have enough change to return the balance of the passenger, he writes on the back of the ticket the amount of balance due and authenticates the same. Such a ticket is treated as a receipt by the BEST. The passenger can claim the balance amount from Ticket & Cash Department, head office at Wadala after producing the ticket. Disaster Management: In the event of disruption of rail services the BEST operates additional buses in the area of disruption. Timely actions are taken with the help of our communication system.
III)SALIENT FEATURES OF THE TRAFFIC OPERATIONS
Zero Waiting Time Plan: The BEST operates buses with Zero Waiting Time concept on different routes during the Morning and Evening peak hours to have faster clearance of heavy passenger traffic outside Railway Stations and major residential/commercial/CBD Areas. The BEST ensures that a bus is always waiting for a passenger rather than having it the other way round. The plan is designed keeping in mind the volume/period of traffic with a view to encourage use of Public Transport and discourage use of private and Intermediate Personal Transport modes like Taxis and Autorickshaws. The important points of operation are Bhatia Baug, NCPA, World Trade Center, etc. Excursion Action Plans: : The city of Mumbai has various Excursion points where heavy passenger traffic is generated from the City and Suburbs during Weekends and Holidays. To cater with the heavy demand of the passengers, the BEST operates Excursion Action Plans on various routes on Sundays/Holidays.
Some of the Action Plans are Juhu Chowpatty Action Plan, National Park Action Plan etc.lan etc. Festival Action Plans: Mumbai being a cosmopolitan city its citizens celebrate their festivals with gaiety and pomp. The BEST operates special buses during the festivals like Ganapati Festival, Diwali Festival, Bandra Mount Merry Festival, Erangal Festival Christmas and New Year Eve. Also on special occasions like various pre-planned rallys organized by the social bodies where huge crowd is expected, the Undertaking is operating special buses in consultation with the organizers. Ladies Special & Ladies First Services: In Order to reduce the hardships faced by the Lady commuters, while boarding the bus during the peak hours, the BEST has introduced Ladies Special Trips on heavily patronized routes. Similarly “Ladies First At Starting Points” trips are also provided to facilitate lady commuters.
DNA : 2011
LADIES SPECIAL BUS: BEST to launch four bus services exclusively for women from June 1; conductors aboard them will also be female.
"In our survey, we found that the areas chosen for the ladies special buses have more women passengers during peak hours, and they are inconvenienced by the rush," Shinde said. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport has finally caught up to the railways in setting aside services explicitly devoted to ladies. In a brand new move, the BEST will launch four new bus services exclusively for women from June 1, 2011. Sunil Shinde, chairman, BEST, said, "We will commence four ladies special buses on the four most crowded routes in the city from June 1, 2011. This is a good initiative, welcomed by most."
ELECTRIC DEPARTMENT
Power, supplied by the Tata Group is brought to the city across creeks in pylons like these.
I)INTRO Since 1926, the BEST has been sourcing its power from Tata Power, part of the Tata Groupconglomerate. The power cables are laid underground, which reduces pilferage and other losses that plague most other parts of India. The nominal rating of power supplied by BEST is 3-phase, 50 Hz, 220/110 kV. Unlike the transport company, the electricity department services only theMumbai City area, and not the suburbs. It provides power to over a million residential and commercial establishments and over 33,000 street lights within the city limits. As of 2000, BEST supplies a total of 700 MW (938,715 hp), with a consumption of 3,216 GWh (11,578 TJ).[21] The electricity department has 6,000 employees. The city has three 110 kV, twenty-two 33 kV and 22 kV substations. BEST has a distribution loss of around 10% (2001), among the lowest in India. In 2006, the RPS (Renewable purchase specificaiton) [22] framework came into force, which has made it mandatory for electricity providers to generate or purchase fixed percentage (6% for FY 2009–10) of their power through renewable sources. To comply with this act, BEST plans to installphotovoltaic cells in each of its 25 depots. They also plan to use solar power in gardens and street lighting where the demand is low. Another option being considered is the possibility of using the 7,000 tonnes (6,889 long tons; 7,716 short tons) of garbage disposed by the city on a daily basis, which can be potentially used to generate 350 megawatts (469,358 hp) of electricity.[23]
II)New projects
BEST in its Endeavour to give still better and fault free service, has
II)Billing Procedure
The bills are sent monthly to Industrial and Commercial consumers and bi-monthly to Residential consumers. The bills are payable within the prescribed time limit of 15 days at any of the 39 bill collection centres and 21 authorised banks. Delay in making payment attracts Delayed Payment charges at 0.5% per week or part thereof. The consumer should note that he should intimate to B.E.S.T. about less consumption of electrical energy while going out of station. Attending to billing complaints are as per details given below. A. BILLING: Meter reading Large HV & LV consumers Once in every month on scheduled dates and bimonthly for residential & commercial consumer. Once every month for Large HT & LV consumer and commercial consumer. and bimonthly for residential consumers. Immediately. Immediately.
Issue of Elect.bills.
Issue of duplicate bills Complaints made on personal visit regarding billing will be sorted out Final reply to the consumer. Within 2 months. B. DEFECTIVE METERS.: Testing of defective meter Communication of testing result to consumer. Replacement of defective
Within 15 days after receiving Official Testing 1 Week. 2 Weeks.
Electric meter. C. COMPLAINTS.: Complaints/Enquiries will be attended personally by. 1. Ward officers. 2. Supervisors. Attending to complaints by Supdt.of respective zone. Redressal of grievances of consumers by 1. Chief Engineer. 2. Dy.General Manager(S) D. MISCELLANEOUS.: Disconnection of meter on request of the consumer. Issue of final Bill Restoration of electricity after clearing of outstanding dues Within two days of application. 2 days. On the same day Every day
Every day between 2.00 PM to 4.00 PM By appointment.
E. REDRESSAL OF GRIEVANCES: Complaints are attended by following Complaints of descrepancies in consumption Complaints of defective meters Complaints of descrepancies in rates/amount Complaints of delay in delivery/receipt of bills. Refund of Ward officers and supervisor of respective ward. Ward officers and supervisor of respective ward. Ward officers and supervisor of respective ward. Ward officers and supervisor of respective ward. Ward officers and supervisor
Security/excessive billing Cases relating to Vacating flats
of respective ward. Ward officers and supervisor of respective ward.
If the grievance is not attended to satisfactorily, the consumer may meet Supdt. Consumers of respective Zones.
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