With Aqua Line eating into its ridership, undertaking feels move will help it identify new feeder routes and increase passenger flow; rhe Aqua Line, which operates between Aarey and Cuff Parade, started its full operations on October 8, after partial operations — between BKC and Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli — commenced on May 10
BEST expanded its fleet of air-conditioned buses on November 1. PIC/KIRTI SURVE PARADE
With the new Aqua Line Metro route estimated to take up significant ridership from BEST buses, especially last mile ridership on shorter routes such as between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Mantralaya, and in the business district of Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the transport authority is set to study the change in commuters’ travel patterns for further route rationalisation, providing new feeder routes, and effectively increasing/compensating BEST’s commuter traffic.
An official from BEST said, “The study is part of ongoing efforts to understand the changes in commute patterns of Mumbaikars and help BEST plan route rationalisation effectively.” The study kicked off in full swing on Monday.
The Aqua Line, which operates between Aarey and Cuff Parade, started its full operations on October 8, after partial operations — between BKC and Acharya Atre Chowk in Worli — commenced on May 10. Several commuters rely on BEST buses, especially for short-distance routes, for last mile connectivity during peak traffic hours. However, with the inauguration of the Aqua Line, commuters now have the option of taking the underground Metro for travelling short distances.
“We have anticipated a reduction this (number of commuters on routes that coincide with the Aqua Line’s route are likely to reduce) during the past month,” the BEST official said, adding that it is possible to accurately gauge the impact on loss of BEST’s commuters when schools and colleges are reopened after the Diwali season.
“We need to study which BEST routes have now become redundant or non-feasible. We also need to study which routes will now need more buses for effective last mile connectivity, for example, between a Metro station and a popular destination that is nearest to the Metro station. We will conduct the study to understand how travel patterns have changed so that buses can be provided where they are needed. This is part of an ongoing process of route rationalisation.”
On November 1, BEST rationalised 23 key routes and also expanded its fleet of air-conditioned buses to enhance connectivity and operational efficiency. As part of the revamp, BEST has introduced a new service — ‘A-101’ — between the World Trade Centre (Cuffe Parade) and CSMT. It has also converted eight routes to ply only air-conditioned buses.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
