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  Metros   Mumbai  22 Apr 2017  BEST buses’ new coloured avatar revealed

BEST buses’ new coloured avatar revealed

THE ASIAN AGE. | ARPIKA BHOSALE
Published : Apr 22, 2017, 1:05 am IST
Updated : Apr 22, 2017, 8:44 am IST

Designers say it’s not only a step away from colonial era but also a choice from safety point of view.

As of now, two prototypes are parked at Colaba depot. (Photo: Debasish Dey)
 As of now, two prototypes are parked at Colaba depot. (Photo: Debasish Dey)

Mumbai: The students and professor of the J.J. School of Arts, who are a part of the team that designed the new colour scheme of white and yellow for the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST) buses, have said that it’s a step away from the colonial heritage as the red was derived from the British Union Jack. They also added that white and yellow is a smart choice safety-wise.

According to the students, white and yellow stand out more than red as the colours are more visible at night. The BEST had approached the school a year ago, asking it to change the colour of buses so that it would appeal to the youth.

The two prototypes are parked at Colaba and some minute changes are being worked out. Professor Santosh Kshirsagar said that it’s not deliberate attempt to step away from colonial history but a step towards the independent and young India.

He said, “The British flag called as Union Jack is red and blue and that is why you will see that the buses were also painted red. We are not changing the colour only because of this historical fact. The yellow and white are more easy to be spotted in the landscape of the city.”

He further added, “We have also come to a conclusion that the colour red was used because of the foggy weather back in U.K, hence spotting a red bus is easier in their conditions and therefore avoid any collisions.”

The BEST had given only a two-line brief to the JJ School of Arts after few successful projects executed by it in the past such as changing the light bulbs of the buses so that the route number is visible. Pallavi Sege, who is a part of the five-member team, explained that the brief was to make the bus service more attractive to the youth of the city.

She said, “We have chosen the colour white because it stands out in a crowd and especially in the dark. The yellow stripes are not just a style statement, but they actually have the same practical reasoning.” She further added, “We have made small changes to the logo and kept the symbol of the undertaking. We placed the symbol and the word BEST in Hindi in a hexagon that denotes safety.”

New design

White background and yellow stripes will double the buses’ visibility at night. BEST’s logo has been changed and the word BEST in Hindi is placed in a hexagonal box to indicate safety. The colour of many buses has also been changed as advertisers asked the BEST to completely re-paint the buses.

Tags: best, j.j. school of arts, british union jack
Location: India, Maharashtra, Mumbai (Bombay)