The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) will be ready by December, to install GPS in buses and create an app for passengers to trace buses' location. Twenty-eight lakh passengers can monitor each and every bus, check timings on the mobile app that will predict its arrival at bus stops, by March 2019.
BEST has been struggling for quite a few years now and has finally decided to design a passenger information system. "We are aiming at getting the mobile app ready and installing GPS in our entire fleet by March. By this time, it will be ready for passengers to look at the precise location of buses on their route," said Surendra Bagde, general manager, BEST Undertaking.
Currently, the BEST Undertaking is carrying out trials that are expected to be completed by December. The BEST authorities claim that until now the trials have been successful. They have installed GPS in 1,000 buses and several bus stops as well. The mobile app is also ready and is being tested at Wadala and Backbay depots.
Sources said that as of now, GPS is being fitted in buses from five depots. By December 10, more depots will be incorporated and by March, remaining 12 depots too shall be part of it; thus covering the entire fleet of 3,337 buses.
"The app will go live for public by March," added Bagde.
Sources said that the app will allow people to locate the bus 12-15 minutes before its arrival at the bus stop. It will also show the time taken to reach the bus stop depending on traffic. The entire passenger information system is being designed at a cost of Rs 112 crore.
