The BEST undertaking will soon launch a bus premium service for Mumbaikars, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray announced on Monday. Thackeray was speaking at an event to launch the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) at the BEST Colaba headquarters.

Elaborating on the premium service, BEST general manager Lokesh Chandra said, “The premium service will have a fleet of 1,000 swank exclusive app buses, where passengers will be able to reserve seats and track them. These buses will move from point to point and at good frequency. The plan is in the final stages and will be launched for the public by year-end.” If successful, these app-based buses will give a tough competition to private bus apps.