Soon, BEST app will help ease travellers’ woes

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) will launch an app that will ease the commute for citizens by alerting them about waterlogging and road accidents among others on Monday. The BEST committee members, however, have opposed the ‘hurried’ launch of the app — which will be unveiled by Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray.

The app will alert BEST bus commuters about waterlogging, ongoing agitation, traffic jams owing to protest and road accidents.

“Many a times bus routes are changed which causes inconvenience to  commuters. Sometimes buses are cancelled and unaware commuters keep waiting on bus stops. This app will bridge the gap between BEST and commuters by informing them about such occurrences so they can plan their travel accordingly,” said the officer from the BEST.

The updates will be rolled out in phases and initially, it will inform the commuters about buses’ arrival time. Subsequently, the app will enable commuters to purchase a ticket via the app.

The app will have a separate feature of the city guide, which will mark tourist places in the city. Besides, it will also suggest BEST bus routes to such places.

In the recent BEST committee meeting, members had objected to the launch of this app, contending that it has not been synced with Google yet.

“BEST blatantly ignored our suggestion and is launching the app. They are in a hurry due to the upcoming elections but the app will fail to help commuters,” said Sunil Ganacharya, a BEST committee member from the BJP.

According to the desk officer, the BEST has not signed an agreement with Google for the route-tracking system. High-level discussions had tak-en place in this regard and the BEST general manager Surendra Ku-mar Bagade is positive on a tie-up with the Google.