Maharashtra State Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray, on Wednesday, inaugurated Mumbai’s first fully digital bus on the route from Gateway of India to Churchgate. The bus is equipped with a unique ‘Tap-in Tap-out’ feature.
Thackeray said, “Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) is India’s first bus service to go fully digital.” He further added, “We will be implementing this in all 10 buses on this route in a few days and soon expand it on all 438 routes across the city.”
General Manager of BEST, Lokesh Chandra said “This is the first-ever fully digital bus service of the country, aiming to increase the digitisation of bus ticketing system. It provides ease and convenience to the travellers as they can tap in using their smart card or using the ‘Chalo’ app installed in their smartphones.”
The official said the commuters upon reaching the desired bus stop get a receipt on their mobile phone if they tap out using the app, and can also collect their ticket if they use the smart card.
Travellers who travelled by the digital bus were very excited and praised the government’s step towards digitalisation.
