[Attachment(s) from Jagdeep DESAI included below]
Dear all,
More photos of WBSTC buses going towards, and at, Kolkata's Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport.
You can see the numbers of air conditioned WBSTC air conditioned buses at the departures, reducing the numbers of private vehicles, whereas in Mumbai, there is not a single air conditioned bus to and from either domestic or international airports, forget about outstation railway terminals.
Besides, notice the WBSTC buses are right at the departures and arrivals, whereas CSIA has relegated public transport buses far away, making people walk even with luggage, if at all they take the regular BEST bus.
Note also that the vehicle bays, lanes are well marked with loading unloading platforms, unlike at CSIA, Mumbai, where it is a free for all at both the domestic and international terminals.
More of that later.
Thanqx.
Jagdeep
>>>
On Sat, May 7, 2011 at 5:20 PM, Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai1@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear all,Maybe I am the resident dissident.I believe that public transport should be opened to private operators, in addition to the public services.After all, what is the purpose and objective of public transport, providing safe, reliable, fast, transport for the public, plus, giving employment to people providing these services.It can as well be done by private operators, like the airline sector has been opened up.Not the cluster type being discussed, but open up all routes for stage carriage services, not point to point, not contract.Not the cosmetic changes of costly automatic closing and opening doors which are bound by drivers because the operation delays their acceleration from the stop in the middle of the road, thereby defeating the whole purpose of such devices.Not by the expensive LED indicators, most of which are not working.
Not the uncomfortable, poorly designed, ill conceived bucket seats which are coming apart.
Not the stainless steel bus stops which are only for advertisements, because no one can wait safely and securely under them, in the night, the waiting is in total darkness, while the back lit advertisements are brightly shining.In any case, bus stops are nowadays only notional, because BEST bus drivers halt their buses in the middle of the road, making passengers risk their lives rushing to board and alight while autos and other vehicles rush past in the huge space between the BEST bus stop and the halted BEST buses, which also serves to create traffic jam in the free lanes, since the bus has stopped the traffic., etc.Most of these decisions taken by BEST have caused great loss, financially and in credibility.In fact, I would even say that MSRTC, TMT, NMMT, PMPML, BEST, should be in full competition with each other, instead of the pussy footing happening now, no sharing of bus stops, only so and so routes allowed, etc.Because of such, literally, restrictive trade practises, operators tend to overload, over charge, speed, in the effort to make as much money as they can in the little area they can operate in.In Kolkata, there are so many services, bus and tram, CTC, WBSTC, private buses, unusual in Communist west Bengal, and they are giving fairly good account, was there recently, and saw for myself, photo of WBSTC city to airport to city buses attached.Around three years ago, it is given to understand, that there is a GR allowing inter city public transport, ie., no more restrictions for autos and taxis, and stopping at the octroi check stations to change.In fact that it is still not being allowed by Mumbai's, Thane's and Navi Mumbai taxi and auto operators is an indicator of why public transport will not progress in Mumbai without broad minded and new thinking.The simple control the supply and allow demand to increase.Further the traffic congestions keeps increasing to the the lop sided situation, the available public transport is not able to give what the public requires.In fact, the latest reports show that BEST is now losing passengers.
No wonder, because they are not able to rise to the occasion.The drivers are no different from those notorious Blue Line ones, breaking every traffic rule, and ignoring the BEST Traffic Manual, by the excuse, many are daily wages workers, but then how come BEST is putting passengers and other road users to risk by employing thees inadequately trained and indisciplined drivers.But be that as it may, BEST is not utilising its fleet to the optimum.
There was an excellent and highly practical suggestion by MESN to make use of the flyovers appropriately, by a flyover service, details on
But despite it being so simple and logical, there seems to be no effort to even get any trials done, much like Dipak GANDHI and his colleagues Cyclical Time Table, for the suburban train system.What about running ring mini buses, with vehicles like Maruti Verna, Tata Winger, to cater to those who take two wheelers, three wheelers from and to their residents to the suburban stations, to reduce dependence on individual autos, and avoid the refusals by auto drivers, etc.What about running air conditioned semi door to door limousine services using say, Toyota Innovan, or Tata Sumo, Mahindra Bolero, etc., to cater to those who would be using two or four wheelers to go to their offices.What about using air conditioned buses on the same route as no air conditioned buses, like say, 84 Exp., 84 AC, so that the passengers know which stop and where to get air conditioned buses, unlike now, in which neither timings are clear, stops are not visible, and routes are very vague.Besides, not a single bus stop has the route map displayed, only some numbers which for those who are new, will never be able to know where and how to go without asking around.In fact, I was waiting for 84 Exp at the first stop at Hutatma Chowk, afternoon time for nearly one hour, before someone told me the bus won't come till five pm, another hour, no timings were mentioned, made sure by asking the BEST control office nearby, and I wasted an hour and went to the 83 stop.What BEST considers mini buses, and midi buses are only reduced normal length buses, as wide as the regular ones.They don;t serve the purpose, they are too wide for many narrow side roads, etc.Tickets are also still sold by the conductor, why not have ticket sellers at bus stops, giving employment to more people, and reduce the ticketless travel, allowing passengers to board only after buying the tickets.Also, it is strange that BEST buses are licensed, ie permitted by the RTA, for so many passengers only, seated, plus standees, but many are seen over loaded, and over crowded.Means that BEST is not following the law, and in fact putting passengers and other road users to great risk.BEST is not exactly keeping up to its name.
Thanqx.Jagdeep DESAISecretaryFounder TrusteeForum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai Suburbs>>>On Sat, May 7, 2011 at 10:26 AM, vidyadhar date <datebandra@yahoo.com> wrote:
Vidyadhar Date
A 8 , 3rd floor
Our Select building
Pali Road ( Manuel Gonsalves Road)
Bandra (West)
Near St Joseph's Convent school
Mumbai 400 050
India
res tel landline no 022 2642 47 99
mobile 9967 402 857Subject: Re: Much-awaited cluster bus service launched in capital - DDTo: "A.V.Shenoy" <shenoyav@gmail.com>, "Prakruti" <prakruti@yahoogroups.com>, "karmayog yahoogrup" <karmayog@yahoogroups.com>, "PTTF General" <pttfgen@googlegroups.com>Date: Saturday, 7 May, 2011, 8:55 AM
Cc: "ashok datar" <datar.ashok@gmail.com>, "Nandan Maluste" <nandan.maluste@gmail.com>, "Sulakshana Mahajan" <sulakshana.mahajan@gmail.com>, "Narinder Nayar" <concastindia@vsnl.com>, "Sujit Patwardhan" <sujitjp@gmail.com>, "Neera Punj" <neerapunj@hotmail.com>, "Rajshri Mehta-TOI" <rajshrimehta@yahoo.com>, "Leena Prabhoo" <write2god@yahoo.com>, "Rajendra Aklekar" <rajendraa@gmail.com>, "V. Phatak" <vphatak@vsnl.net>, "Shashank Rao-HT" <shashank.rao@hindustantimes.com>, "Chandrashekhar Burande" <cmb123@rediffmail.com>, "Ninad Siddhaye-DNA" <ninad.siddhaye@gmail.com>, "Jagdeep Desai" <jagdeep.desai@gmail.com>, "Jitendra Gupta" <jeetu21@gmail.com>, "Waman Danait" <waman.danait@gmail.com>, "Bina Balkrishnan" <binacb@gmail.com>, "Kanubhai Kamdar" <kanukamdar@gmail.com>, "Satish Mhatre" <satishchandra_mhatre@yahoo.co.in>, "Sudhir Badami" <sudhirbadami@gmail.com>, "Arun Mokashi" <arunpmokashi@hotmail.com>, "BEST GM - O.P.Gupta" <gm@bestundertaking.com>, "MMRDA -PRK Murthy" <prkmurthy1960@yahoo.com>, "Ashwini Bhide - MMRDA" <bhide.ashwini@gmail.com>
Dear Colleagues,
Thanks, Mr Kisan Mehta.
i would urge all to please take a look at the new stainless bus stops of the BEST. these are an utter disgrace. One cannot properly sit or stand in the narrow space. these seem to be designed entirely for the benefit of the advertising lobby to give it space. worse, the design, it seems was approved at the highest level which speaks very poorly of our engineers and bureaucrats. and this torture is inflicted in the name of making Mumbai a world class city.
surprisingly, no one is making a noise on this.
vidyadhar date
Long term and permanent approach to public transport would be to
remove all external dictations and orders on agencies providing local
bus transport facilities. The World Bank meddling, state and local body
interventions are detrimental to natural growth of public transport.
We wonder as to how the State can impose jijiya vera on each bus passenger and
extract substantial amounts from the BEST revenue when it exempts from
any tax or charges on other road users such as motor cars, llight and
heavy vehicles and their users? The state charges passenger tax on each
ticket and each paasenger like Aurangzeb did on each visitor to
Hindu religious centres.
The World Bank extended a paltry assistance of 25 million dollars once and
imposed anachronistic and illegal conditions on the BEST. How long would such
external conditions continue to hamper the natural growth of public
road transport agencies? Does it mean that our authorities do not
want our public road
transport agencies to provide depenable and efficient bus services to commuters
in our cities?
Best wishes.
Kisan Mehta -- Kanu Kamdar -- Priya Salvi
**********************************************
On 5/6/11, A.V.Shenoy <shenoyav@gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear Kisanbhai
>
> As you are well aware, WB prevented BEST finance losses of it's transport
> wing thru' profits from it's electricity wing during MUTP. Since then BEST
> transport wing has got deteriorated. Present state of buses procured under
> JNNURM is pathetic with broken seats, torn covers, front panel covers held
> by ropes etc.
>
> DTC, however, seems to be improving and shedding off it's earlier image.
>
> Hence, my comments.
>
> Regards,
>
> Shenoy
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> From: "Kisan Mehta" <kisansbc@gmail.com>
> Sent: Friday, May 06, 2011 3:10 PM
> To: "A.V.Shenoy" <shenoyav@gmail.com>
> Cc: "ashok datar" <datar.ashok@gmail.com>; "Nandan Maluste"
> <nandan.maluste@gmail.com>; "Sulakshana Mahajan"
> <sulakshana.mahajan@gmail.com>; "Narinder Nayar" <concastindia@vsnl.com>;
> "Sujit Patwardhan" <sujitjp@gmail.com>; "Neera Punj"
> <neerapunj@hotmail.com>; "Rajshri Mehta-TOI" <rajshrimehta@yahoo.com>;
> "Leena Prabhoo" <write2god@yahoo.com>; "Rajendra Aklekar"
> <rajendraa@gmail.com>; "V. Phatak" <vphatak@vsnl.net>; "Shashank Rao-HT"
> <shashank.rao@hindustantimes.com>; "Chandrashekhar Burande"
> <cmb123@rediffmail.com>; "Ninad Siddhaye-DNA" <ninad.siddhaye@gmail.com>;
> "Jagdeep Desai" <jagdeep.desai@gmail.com>; "Jitendra Gupta"
> <jeetu21@gmail.com>; "Waman Danait" <waman.danait@gmail.com>; "Bina
> Balkrishnan" <binacb@gmail.com>; "Kanubhai Kamdar" <kanukamdar@gmail.com>;
> "Satish Mhatre" <satishchandra_mhatre@yahoo.co.in>; "Sudhir Badami"
> <sudhirbadami@gmail.com>; "Arun Mokashi" <arunpmokashi@hotmail.com>; "BEST
> GM - O.P.Gupta" <gm@bestundertaking.com>; "MMRDA -PRK Murthy"
> <prkmurthy1960@yahoo.com>; "Ashwini Bhide - MMRDA" <bhide.ashwini@gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: Much-awaited cluster bus service launched in capital - DD
>
>> Dear Colleagues,
>>
>> What may turn out to be a potentially promising development for Dlelhi
>> may not be suitable for us in Mumbai. Cluster services cannot improve
>> movement of people in Mumbai as BEST unitary system is working well.
>>
>> Mumbai has in place a BEST that has become lifeline for Mumbaikars
>> despite no support from the Government and the shylockish usurping by
>> the BMC from the BEST revenue year after year.
>>
>> It is accepted everywhere all over the world that public road services
>> need to be financially and logistically supported to enable the
>> utilities to render optimum servicess to commuters. Not in Mumbai and
>> Indian cities.
>>
>> It is the other way round in Mumbai and other human centres having
>> loval bus service. Though the BEST has proved to be largest urban road
>> transport bus service in the world, its service to commuters is
>> adversely affected by the govt not supporting the BEST and other
>> service providers in the state.
>>
>> The state takes away a substantial part of the BEST revenue in the
>> name of passenger tax not much different from Aurangzeb's jijiya wera.
>> The BMC charges annual tax from the BEST because of historical reasons
>> that have become anchronistic in the present situation. State
>> Departments decide the routing and ticjeting charges and not allow the
>> BEST to do its duty to commuters.
>>
>> What Delhi was and is lacking is a well developed ervice provider for
>> publ;ic transport. So it is good that Cluster service is being
>> introduced.
>>
>> What we need in Mumbai is different.
>>
>> The government should look after the losses that the public transport
>> utilities incur in providing optimum bus services within the cities
>> and commuting areas.
>>
>> The BMC should stop collecting annual charges.
>>
>> The BEST should be allowed freedom to develop routes without
>> government interventon. Police should extend all facilities to enable
>> to run bus services in response to citizen need.
>>
>> It would be unproductive to introduce cluster service idea in Mumbai
>> as it has a BWST operating as a unitaary utility rendering full
>> fledged service for generations. Authorites mjst support the BEST in
>> increasing services by bringing curbs on other modes of traffic.
>>
>>
>> Ajitbhai, get citizens to ask for more serivces from BEST and let us
>> see how nd where it lags. Demand the state and BMC to remove their
>> sheckles on the BEST.
>>
>> Best wishes.
>>
>> Kisan Mehta -- Kanu Kamdar -- Priya Salvi
>> __________
>>
>>
>>
>> On 5/6/11, A.V.Shenoy <shenoyav@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> It is also time for BEST to wake up from it's slumber and make necessary
>>> reforms if it wants to retain it's present No.1 place.
>>>
>>> Maybe we need to make BEST an autonomous body and free from clutches of
>>> MCGM and our corporators.
>>>
>>> Shenoy
>>>
>>>
>>> From: ashok datar
>>>
--
Kisan Mehta Kanu kamdar Priya Salvi
Save Bombay Committee,Prakruti and Life Foundation.
1203, Kanchanjanga "A", Plot 20,
Sector 11,Koparkhairane,
Navi Mumbai 4000709 India
www.savebombaycommittee.org
Kisan Mehta: 0091 9223448857
Priya Salvi: 0091 9324027494
Kanu Kamdar: 0091 9821999401
Niraj Mehta: 0091 8097535559
__._,_.___
Attachment(s) from Jagdeep DESAI
2 of 2 Photo(s)
MARKETPLACE
.
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