After much delay, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) would soon be plying its buses on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link (BWSL). The transport unit would be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mumbai Entry Point Private Limited (MEPL), the agency that collects toll on the BWSL.

According to BEST Chairman Dilip Patel the MoU would soon be signed between the two parties with the first possible route being the Dahisar-Churchgate one. The BEST is likely to pay Rs 3000 per bus to use the BWSL. The BEST would be plying its air-conditioned King Long buses along with regular ones on the sea link.

The BEST and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the agency that constructed the link, were at loggerheads over the toll amount. The former wanted to settle down on Rs 3000 per bus while MSRDC was charging around Rs 5000 per bus and the deadlock continued. The BEST had also planned to start the open-air bus service from Bandra-Kurla Complex to Worli via the BWSL, but the plans failed to take off due to the deadlock.

“The talks are on and terms and condition have still not been finalised. We would also be talking to the MSRDC about this aspect,” said Nitin Bansode, general manager MEPL.

Meanwhile, the BEST has still not decided whether it would be charging commuters extra for the trip. “We have still not taken any decision, but few months ago we had passed a proposal of Express bus service,” said Patel. Early this year, the BEST had passed a proposal of starting “Express” bus service, which would take flyovers and reduce the travelling time of commuters.

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