Many commuters waiting for the BEST bus hurriedly get together as soon as they see their bus pass-by. For someone who is new to the city may wonder why. The bus service barely manages to pass through the lane, all thanks to the private buses plying between Mumbai to Pune and other cities.
Bad infrastructural planning has led to commuter woes. From Chitra Talkies to Dadar TT, the various buses taking the same route adds to the hassle. Other problems include less secure travel for commuters, traffic, and more. The problem aggravates 8 pm onwards when buses begin to ply in larger numbers. "I prefer taking train, but when I can't, I take the bus service," said Tatesaheb Khandekar, a commuter who was travelling to Pandharpur. Khandekar said that proper shelter, ready information, better passenger facilities and segregation of those can help reduce and streamline the chaos that. "They can at least segregate the areas on the road where ST bus, private tour bus and BEST buses will stop. It so happens that they are all at the same place and people keep running around looking where their bus will stop fearing they may miss it," said Khandekar.
"The other problem is lack of information. State tourist bus has a kiosk which shuts well before the bus service comes here. How are we to know where exactly the bus will stop? We end up asking people around who may or may not know," said Sandeep Jadhav, pointing at the shut state transport booth as he stood waiting for Chiplun along with his wife and kid. In monsoon, commuters said that problem becomes worse. There is also issue of women's toilet and proper space where buses can be parked without commuters and city traffic being disrupted.
"The problem is of planning. They should make a bus terminus at Sewree even for private tour operators. It causes inconvenience for those who have heavy luggage. I am used to traffic but then someone who is new may certainly get irritated," said Manmohan Singh, a regular commuter.
Bhaskar Prabhu, a resident of the area said that the problem remains unsolved because it helps in greasing palm of the traffic officials. "There is a need for a well connected intercity terminal where all buses can stop. All services should be planned properly instead of making one of greasing palms of traffic authorities."
