The municipal-run BEST has begun operating a second air-conditioned electric double-decker bus (e-bus) in the city, but the passengers, enthusiasts, and staffers say they are disappointed because the problems with the first bus that were mentioned have not been fixed in the new service.
The very first E-double decker bus was launched in the town on February 21. A BEST spokeswoman said the second such bus, which was registered at the Vashi Regional Transport Office (RTO) on March 17, is being utilised for heritage tours in addition to operations between the Backbay Depot and CSMT in southern Mumbai on route 138.
A few minor inside modifications have been implemented in this bus reflecting on the passenger’s input offered when the bus initially was introduced, he said. The second E-double-decker bus has been recruited on a wet lease from a private company.
Not up-to the mark
BEST employees, customers, and bus enthusiasts claimed that they had identified some issues with the first double-decker e-bus and expected those issues to be fixed in the next bus. However, they claimed that a number of their issues with comfort and safety in the second double-decker e-bus were also unresolved.
Only 50 diesel-powered double decker buses are currently in service with the BEST; gradually, the new electric double decker buses will take their place. The BEST has now terminated the contract with one of the companies that was supposed to supply 700 double decker buses for the transportation undertaking, which had previously ordered 900 double decker buses from two companies.
According to a BEST driver, the bell that the conductor uses to tell the drivers to stop or move the bus is situated on the bottom deck roof of said second E-double-decker bus, just near to the front entrance. Tall passengers run the risk of hitting their heads on it as a result.
“The first e-front bus’s door’s bell was directly above the very first row of seats. So, it was advised that the bell’s position be changed because many passengers’ heads used to bump into it as they attempted to rise up before disembarking. However, it has been moved to a more troublesome area in the new bus, “explained the driver.
Another BEST driver stated that they had also suggested adding a rod to the driver’s seat’s left side because frequently, when the E-bus’s brakes are deployed forcefully, passengers will fall over the dashboard. But, the engineers of the second E-bus ignored their concerns about it.
The double decker e-bus’s rear-view mirror position was another issue raised by the drivers. They claim that because the driver-side rearview mirror is mounted close to the door rather than the front side of the windscreen, it is difficult for them to see vehicles approaching from the right.
The position of the rear-view mirror is incorrect. We must turn our heads to look in the mirror, which causes a brief lapse in focus. According to a separate driver, it might be dangerous.
BEST drivers claim that they had recommended adding a second CCTV camera to the bus’s back entrance since the divider there makes it impossible for them to observe if passengers had boarded or not. The engineers of the second e-bus, however, also ignored the concept.
The front staircase on the second vehicle has been improved, according to commuters who take the electric double-decker bus.
A bus enthusiast remarked that, just like in the first e-bus, BEST did not maintain enough distance between the front row of seats and the last step of the stairs in the second vehicle.
“However, BEST Enterprise hasn’t changed anything to increase the stepping area next to the front side stairs or removed the grabbing rail that was apparently an obstruction in smooth passenger movement,” said Rohit Dhende, a bus enthusiast.
He claimed that the BEST maintained the slightly front-sloping seats that passengers find unpleasant in the new double decker e-bus as well.
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