BEST launches bus services to Imagica

In a positive development for the undertaking, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) has launched its weekend services from the city to Imagica, an amusement park that is located in the suburb of Khopoli.

The undertaking’s transport wing has been running losses in the past five and it has seen a little over two lakh passengers cease using its services this year after two consecutive hikes in February and April.

The BEST has been trying to get more revenue via different avenues and finally bagged a first-of-its-kind contract with a major company. “The contract is technically not a very huge source of revenue in our kitty but it will help the undertaking in generating awareness in other companies that we are providing this kind of a service,” said an official on the condition of anonymity.

The BEST will run air-conditioned buses and the since their performance will be well scrutinised, the undertaking is taking extra precautions to double-check and maintain them with extra care. “Everyone will be watching the Imagica buses’ performance so we will do the maintenance of the buses we intend to provide for Saturday and Sunday with our senior-most officials. A lot is at stake on this initiative of ours,” added the official.

BEST committee members like Kedar Hombalkar have also asked the management to tie up with the Indian Premier League (IPL). “We need to look at major events in the city, which — for Mumbai in the recent two years — has been the IPL. It’s really good that we have got this Imagica contract but we cannot stop there but keep going and try and find more and more avenues to earn a revenue away from the traditional ways like ferrying passengers,” said Mr Hombalkar.

The other big wins for the undertaking has been the Rs 80,000 contract with the diamond merchants who have taken a yearly pass for transportation from Andheri station to the Seepz.