Mumbai: Commuters Launch Petition Over Poor Frequency Of BEST Buses From Nariman Point To CSMT; See Pics

Mumbai: Commuters travelling regularly on bus route NO.111 from Free Press Journal Marg at Nariman Point to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSTM) are up in arms against BEST’s erratic frequency of buses, particularly during the evening peak hours. Thousands of commuters residing in far away suburban areas after a day’s hectic work who intend to rush back home have been affected by irregular bus service.

Of late serpentine queues have been witnessing at the starting point of bus route No. 111 at Free Press House. On Monday, passengers standing for long at the bus stop had to face the ordeal of getting wet due to heavy rains. Furthermore, no proper shelters installed at the bus stop added to their misery. Several commuters approached the controller at the stop asking for the status of the bus but there was no proper response from him. Even he was reluctant to divert route a couple of No. 100 buses that ply to Churchgate station to CSTM despite seeing the big queue in the bus stop. People who missed the bus around 5:40pm had to stand for almost an hour fully drenched to get the next bus which arrived around 6:20pm.

Fed up with this constant hassle, frustrated commuters have launched a signature campaign and filing a petition with the BEST headquarters at Colaba, demanding an increase in the frequency of the BEST route No.111, particularly during evening peak hours between 5:30pm to 7:30pm.

A few months ago, the commuters were travelling freely without any hassles as there were 6 to 7 buses plying in this route and now we were given to understand that the authorities have reduced the number of buses plying in this route to three, effective 01.06.2025. Several commuters were of the opinion that the authorities should consider diverting at least two No.115 buses double-decker from Free Press Journal to CSTM during evening peak hours.

For the last couple of months, commuters have had a sigh of relief from the ordeal of facing the heavy traffic when the DN Road was thrown open to traffic after completion of Metro Rail work. But now their joy was shattered by the BEST authorities by curtailing the buses plying on route No. 111. One of the commuters said it’s high time that the BEST authorities should consider reverting back to six buses in the route especially during the evening peak hours keeping in mind the hardship being faced by passengers.