Mumbai’s dependable mode of transport for its large number of population, the BMC-run BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) bus service, is upgrading and going for a makeover.

On Friday, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray inaugurated through a video link the Bus Operational Command and Control Centre (CCC) of BEST.  

The centre, which is a state of the art control room has been set up in the undertakings Wadala depot and part of its intelligent transport management system (ITMS). A centralised database, it will help in service delivery of BEST buses. It has integrated monitoring and tracking of all the functions of bus operation and maintenance through GPS. Two video walls, each comprising of nine TVs of 55 inches have been fitted for monitoring with capacity to seat 32 officials who would monitor the operation round the clock.

Having all modern facilities, latest communication and surveillance system, the CCC is equipped to handle disaster situations. It will help coordination between city and traffic police, BMC, fire brigade and the state administrative headquarters Mantralaya during disasters. It has a UPS and server room to ensure uninterrupted power and connectivity. It can maintain a database of all lost and found items and returning of valuables to commuters. It will also provide data of daily fleet situation, kms run, ticket sales and passenger count to BEST.

The CCC will help BEST keep a track of every bus, its driver, conductor and related vehicle information. It will help check and control rash bus drivers and also disseminate all route related information to the commuters and enable them have real time contact with the BEST officials and alert them about any crisis or problems in their buses. It has a toll free number and an app that will enable commuters to directly contact the control room for assistance and emergencies and for conductors to alert their superiors.
 
Praising BEST, Thackeray said that it is the favourite mode of travel for a large number of Mumbaikars and has taken strong steps towards modernisation to track buses in real time  and provide a dependable service to commuters. Expressing his gratitude to the staff of BEST, he said that they worked diligently during the tough period of coronavirus outbreak providing relief to people when suburban local trains had to be stopped. The chief minister added that for last mile connectivity BEST should plan feeder routes for connectivity with Metro and train services.  

Minister of tourism, environment and protocol Aaditya Thackeray was also present at the inauguration.