Three months after the Bandra Worli Sea Link was thrown open to traffic, there are no signs of BEST buses plying on it anytime soon. The sea link is still being used by private vehicles only. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) and Mumbai Entry Point Ltd, the toll collecting agency, are still unable to reach a consensus over the toll to be paid by the undertaking.

The toll collection agency has asked for Rs 5,000 per month for a bus plied on the sea link, while BEST has demanded a concession of Rs 2,000 per month for a bus. “So far not decision has been taken on BEST buses. We cannot change the rules of the game. Now we expect something to be decided after the elections,” said Jayant Mhaiskar, managing director, MEPL.

Meanwhile, BEST undertaking is adamant and doesn’t want to budge from its stand.

“Under any circumstances we will not pay more than Rs 3,000 a month for a bus. There should be some concession for public transport body. We expect things to move after the elections,” said Dilip Patel, chairman of BEST committee.

On the other hand, the MEPL would also want the BEST buses to start its services soon as it is falling short of nearly Rs 4 lakh everyday to break even. For the toll agency, irrespective of the collections during the 52-week period it has to pay Rs 74.9 crore to MSRDC at the end of the year.

... contd.