BEST opts for ticket blocks to beat coin shortage

M A Shanbag, Additional General Manager, BEST, told Express Newsline these blocks/bunches, with 100 or 200 tickets each of various denominations, will be sold to commuters. The traveller will be required to get an appropriate ticket for the particular stage punched by the conductor.

“While the BEST’s requirement is Rs 9 lakh worth of coins a week, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) supplies only Rs 1.25 lakh,” senior officials of the undertaking claimed. The BEST also collects coins from places of worship like the Haji Ali dargah, Mahalaxmi temple, Mumbaidevi temple among other places.

The undertaking gives coins worth Rs 25 to every conductor when he begins his shift. However, the stock is exhausted within few minutes thus leading to arguments and complaints from passengers. The only option left with the conductor is to write the balance amount on the reverse of the ticket to be collected from the Wadala depot.

Commuters usually ended up paying more than their balance amount travelling to the depot to collect their money.

The much hyped coupon system too flopped due to technical reasons. People started using them as parallel currency prompting the BEST to scrap the idea.If the BEST wants to reintroduce the system, it has to seek RBI’s permission. Alpana Kilawala, RBI spokesperson, said according to the Coinage Act, issue of coupons in lieu of coins or cash requires RBI’s permission.

However, prepaid coupons and season tickets like the ones issues by the railways, she clarified. Another proposal of a monthly pass on fixed routes introduced in August this year failed to get positive response from Mumbaikars. “The response was not encouraging. If the scheme is successful, it can be introduced on other routes as well,” officials said.

The BEST has appealed to report to the traffic officer at the nearest deport if any conductor is found parting with coins for a commission or for his personal gain.