Mumbai has over 4500 BEST bus stops, 400 routes and 4200 buses. The signage at bus stops has only route numbers. Regular users may know which route to take, but new users cannot figure out the origin, direction or destination by just the numbers.
Mumbai Environmental Social Network (MESN) worked with BEST to develop Route Maps that provide the current location, routes available at that bus stop, their origin and destination, information about the nearest railway station and important landmarks nearby.
The Maps help the user decide the route to take and also improve their knowledge of the city geography. The initiative has been supported by the Bombay Chamber of Commerce and Industry. A pilot map has been put up at
Kala Nagar stop with the help of MMRDA and ICICI bank (as advertiser).
Says a user, “I get information about not only which bus to take, but also if there are other buses to my destination; it tells me the stops on the way, so if I want to go to some other place en route, I know what my options are. I can take a bus instead of a taxi because this information is available.”
For more information contact Mumbai Environmental Social Network 20, Madhavi, Makarand Housing Society Veer Savarkar Marg, Mahim, Mumbai 400016 Ph. 022-24449212; mesn.trupti@gmail.com