Mumbais Ride - Mumbais Pride - BEST

khanak · 21st June 2005, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rtech

Great Stuff here! I think sometimes we living in Bombay take the BEST for granted! It's the most efficient bus service anywhere in the country! And hats off to those drivers who navigate our crazy streets.

Yea I think somewhere or the other all Mumbaiites have an emotional attatchment to BEST and we come to know when theres a strike or somthing when BEST buses dont run

khanak · 21st June 2005, 16:00

AUTOMATIC FARE COLLECTION - SMARTCARD (GO Mumbai)

In a move to aid commuter convenience, and to mitigate its cash handling pains, BEST, 'Mumbai's Lifeline' has adopted a new alternative method of paying for bus fares. From 19th November 2004, Route Special 8 plying from Churchgate to World Trade Centre has started accepting contact-less smart cards for Automatic Fare Collection in BEST buses. The multi-application card system is called "GO Mumbai". The Phase 1 of the system will cover about 760 buses by middle of 2005.

The project is additionally supported by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), ICICI Bank and is implemented by a Consortium of companies led by A.Little.World Private Limited. The principal technology provider for the system is ERG Transit Systems, the global leader in this field. ERG has implemented similar Automated Fare Collection systems in Singapore and HongKong and a number of other cities in US, Europe and Australia, where ERG is based. HongKong's Octopus system implemented by ERG is the world's largest AFC system with 8 million cards in active use and about 8 - 10 million transactions performed every day. The devices are manufactured indigenously in India in technical collaboration with ERG.

Fare Collection Devices will be installed at the entry and exit doors of BEST buses. The cardholder will present the GO card to this device at the start of the journey by touching it to the device or bringing it within a few centimeters of the device. The card can even be kept in the wallet and the wallet can be touched to the device. The proximity between the card and the device is to be maintained for less than half a second. If the card is valid and has balance, the device will give an audible beep, a green light, and display ENTRY VALID sign and show the present balance on the card. The same process will have to be repeated at the end of the journey at the exit. The fare will be calculated automatically, deducted from the card and balance after deduction will be displayed to the user.

The stage changes for automatic and accurate computation of the bus location will be carried out automatically in this high-tech system through the satellite based Global Position System, which is implemented in each bus carrying the GO system. In addition, a wireless system automatically downloads the bus data carrying the daily payment details to the depot computer when the bus enters the depot at the end of the shift.

A Bus Control Unit is installed next to the driver for easy management of the system.

This cashless ticket payment system will reduce BEST's costs of printing paper tickets and handling literally tones of small coins and notes every day. The system will reduce the load on overworked conductors, and provide BEST greater flexibility in fare structuring in the future. For commuters it provides a clear value of everyday convenience of not having to deal with small notes and coins or not having exact change to pay for a bus ticket.

RX135 · 21st June 2005, 16:44

Excellent posts, khanak! BEST is the best. I think, it can go into "Collection of BEST threads".

Aditya · 21st June 2005, 16:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by RX135

BEST is the best.

Most definitely. BEST service is cheap, efficient, runs late into the night and has helped connect the furthest suburbs to the heart of the city.
No other city in India can boast of such an efficient bus service.

While we're discussing BEST, don't forget their Electricity Supply division - hardly any power cuts (touch wood).

deepakhon · 21st June 2005, 17:00

I am happy that BEST is moving on to the smartcard system. I believe this is the first by any public road transport system in India. I have used smartcard in Singapore and I really loved the convenience it offered. I was able to recharge the card after the cash got over. Another thing is that if you are leaving Singapore, you can even refund the amount your card still holds. Such a convenience! I am glad that it is coming to Mumbai..

navin · 22nd June 2005, 00:07

fantastic khanak. where did you dig these up. i actually remember the trams that ran from colaba to sion! money was counted in annas then. 16 annas to a rupee. 1 anna = 6.25 pai.

EVO6 · 22nd June 2005, 01:29

Very nice thread Khanak... an actual eye opener ...
Just wish that the old beaten up buses get changed to the new gen low floor buses so that public transport will be more accessible and prefered by even more people who dont travel in BEST for some obvious reasons...

khanak · 22nd June 2005, 01:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by navin

fantastic khanak. where did you dig these up. i actually remember the trams that ran from colaba to sion! money was counted in annas then. 16 annas to a rupee. 1 anna = 6.25 pai.

www.bestunddertaking.com
Ordinary Limited
Ps. Kms. Ps. Kms.

21-04-1963 10 3.6 15 5.5

07-11-1966 10 2.0 15 2.0

28-05-1974 15 2.0 20 2.0

23-12-1975 20 3.0 25 2.0

21-08-1980 25 3.0 30 2.0

23-03-1981 30 3.0 35 2.0

01-04-1982 40 3.0 50 2.0

01-06-1984 40 2.0 50 2.0

14-09-1984 50 6.0 50 2.0

01-04-1987 50 4.0 50 2.0

22-06-1989 50 2.0 65 2.0

04-05-1990 70 4.0 95 4.0

16-11-1990 95 3.0 95 2.0

08-01-1991 95 3.0 95 2.0

15-05-1992 95 2.5 120 2.5

11-05-1994 140 2.5 165 2.5

06-08-1996 140 2.0 165 2.0

10-08-1996 190 2.5 235 2.5

X-Machine · 22nd June 2005, 03:49

Wow.Thats amazing.....Great info there khanak.
At times i wonder,how do they manage to manouver these huge buses through traffic????? They certainly have a tough job to do.
Mid-day had printed an article on BEST a few days back saying that 90% of the buses in Mumbai are on time.And thats amazing!!
Long live buses.

X

khanak · 22nd June 2005, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-Machine

Wow.Thats amazing.....Great info there khanak.
At times i wonder,how do they manage to manouver these huge buses through traffic????? They certainly have a tough job to do.
Mid-day had printed an article on BEST a few days back saying that 90% of the buses in Mumbai are on time.And thats amazing!!
Long live buses.

X

I personally believe BEST drivers are the best. especially when they have to drive through crowded areas like near stations nd all. requires a lot of skill

20th November 2007, 13:17

i remember travelling in the trailer bus ...it used to run at matunga.

also there used to be the old limited buses with a seating for 3 next to the entrance...

also the 4 spoke stearing wheel leyland old buses which was primarily used for 388 ltd between ghatkopar and borivli

Mpower · 20th November 2007, 19:55

BEST is great, but do they make money. I read somewhere that Bangalore's BMTC is the only State owned transport service that is consistently making healthy profits year after year.

21st June 2005, 16:00	#17
khanak Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai/Toronto Posts: 2,799 Thanked: 268 Times View My Garage	AUTOMATIC FARE COLLECTION - SMARTCARD (GO Mumbai) In a move to aid commuter convenience, and to mitigate its cash handling pains, BEST, 'Mumbai's Lifeline' has adopted a new alternative method of paying for bus fares. From 19th November 2004, Route Special 8 plying from Churchgate to World Trade Centre has started accepting contact-less smart cards for Automatic Fare Collection in BEST buses. The multi-application card system is called "GO Mumbai". The Phase 1 of the system will cover about 760 buses by middle of 2005. The project is additionally supported by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), ICICI Bank and is implemented by a Consortium of companies led by A.Little.World Private Limited. The principal technology provider for the system is ERG Transit Systems, the global leader in this field. ERG has implemented similar Automated Fare Collection systems in Singapore and HongKong and a number of other cities in US, Europe and Australia, where ERG is based. HongKong's Octopus system implemented by ERG is the world's largest AFC system with 8 million cards in active use and about 8 - 10 million transactions performed every day. The devices are manufactured indigenously in India in technical collaboration with ERG. Fare Collection Devices will be installed at the entry and exit doors of BEST buses. The cardholder will present the GO card to this device at the start of the journey by touching it to the device or bringing it within a few centimeters of the device. The card can even be kept in the wallet and the wallet can be touched to the device. The proximity between the card and the device is to be maintained for less than half a second. If the card is valid and has balance, the device will give an audible beep, a green light, and display ENTRY VALID sign and show the present balance on the card. The same process will have to be repeated at the end of the journey at the exit. The fare will be calculated automatically, deducted from the card and balance after deduction will be displayed to the user. The stage changes for automatic and accurate computation of the bus location will be carried out automatically in this high-tech system through the satellite based Global Position System, which is implemented in each bus carrying the GO system. In addition, a wireless system automatically downloads the bus data carrying the daily payment details to the depot computer when the bus enters the depot at the end of the shift. A Bus Control Unit is installed next to the driver for easy management of the system. This cashless ticket payment system will reduce BEST's costs of printing paper tickets and handling literally tones of small coins and notes every day. The system will reduce the load on overworked conductors, and provide BEST greater flexibility in fare structuring in the future. For commuters it provides a clear value of everyday convenience of not having to deal with small notes and coins or not having exact change to pay for a bus ticket.
	() Thanks

21st June 2005, 16:44	#18
RX135 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: pune Posts: 2,106 Thanked: 75 Times	Excellent posts, khanak! BEST is the best. I think, it can go into "Collection of BEST threads".
	() Thanks

21st June 2005, 17:00	#20
deepakhon Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,441 Thanked: 65 Times	I am happy that BEST is moving on to the smartcard system. I believe this is the first by any public road transport system in India. I have used smartcard in Singapore and I really loved the convenience it offered. I was able to recharge the card after the cash got over. Another thing is that if you are leaving Singapore, you can even refund the amount your card still holds. Such a convenience! I am glad that it is coming to Mumbai..
	() Thanks

22nd June 2005, 00:07	#21
navin Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 25,196 Thanked: 9,294 Times	fantastic khanak. where did you dig these up. i actually remember the trams that ran from colaba to sion! money was counted in annas then. 16 annas to a rupee. 1 anna = 6.25 pai.
	() Thanks

22nd June 2005, 01:29	#22
EVO6 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Pune Posts: 488 Thanked: 11 Times	Very nice thread Khanak... an actual eye opener ... Just wish that the old beaten up buses get changed to the new gen low floor buses so that public transport will be more accessible and prefered by even more people who dont travel in BEST for some obvious reasons...
	() Thanks

22nd June 2005, 03:49	#24
X-Machine Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Mumbai/Tokyo Posts: 1,475 Thanked: 29 Times	Wow.Thats amazing.....Great info there khanak. At times i wonder,how do they manage to manouver these huge buses through traffic????? They certainly have a tough job to do. Mid-day had printed an article on BEST a few days back saying that 90% of the buses in Mumbai are on time.And thats amazing!! Long live buses. X
	() Thanks

20th November 2007, 13:17	#26
santoshnair Posts: n/a	i remember travelling in the trailer bus ...it used to run at matunga. also there used to be the old limited buses with a seating for 3 next to the entrance... also the 4 spoke stearing wheel leyland old buses which was primarily used for 388 ltd between ghatkopar and borivli
	() Thanks

20th November 2007, 19:55	#27
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,730 Times View My Garage	BEST is great, but do they make money. I read somewhere that Bangalore's BMTC is the only State owned transport service that is consistently making healthy profits year after year.
	() Thanks