Free WiFi and entertainment may be a reality on Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking buses from November.
The BEST committee on Monday approved the proposal to provide free WiFi connectivity in air-conditioned (AC) and non-AC buses. While internet connectivity will have a limit of 20MB per user per trip, the entertainment option -- wherein people can watch movies, songs and comedy shows – on monitors fitted in each bus will be unlimited.
“The hard disc will be refreshed every night with new content,” said a spokesperson of Fin Mobile India Pvt limited, the firm which is handling the project.
The router in each bus will have a global positioning system (GPS), which will send alerts on real-time location of the bus and expected time of arrival. “The GPS will be integrated with M-indicator mobile application, so commuters can get information on buses when they are waiting at the bus stop. We are expecting the project to roll out by November,” said Jagdish Patil, general manager, BEST.
Moreover, BEST plans to install routers at 51 bus stations, to give people access to free internet.
In past few years, BEST commuters have substantially reduced from 40 lakh to the current 28lakh. The drop is mainly because of poor frequency. “No doubt this is a good initiative. We will have to take technical assistance to ensure we get more commuters,” said Kedar Hombalkar, BEST committee member.
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