Mumbai: With the agreement for the app-based e-ticketing system used by the BEST nearing its end, BEST committee member Ajay Singh on Monday urged the undertaking to develop its own independent e-ticketing platform instead of continuing with an external service provider. In a resolution notice submitted to the administration, Singh argued that the current arrangement results in unnecessary expenditure and that a self-developed system could help improve BEST’s finances.He pointed out that BEST currently pays the external agency a per-passenger charge based on an assumed daily bus ridership of 30 lakh commuters. However, Singh claimed that only around two lakh passengers actually use the app-based ticketing facility. He also noted that BEST’s overall daily ridership has dropped from around 30 lakh passengers a few years ago to about 22 lakh.He has written to BEST chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao in this connection and will take up the issue at the next committee meeting.In view of these figures, he has demanded that the existing arrangement should not be granted any further extension.According to Singh, an in-house e-ticketing platform would significantly reduce administrative and technical costs incurred under the present system. He said such a move would make BEST more self-reliant while allowing the undertaking to retain greater control over ticketing operations and revenue streams. “There is an IT department within BEST and our officials can develop the in-house software for the e-ticketing project,” he claimed.The resolution further stated that a proprietary digital platform could contribute to increasing the undertaking’s income and strengthening its financial position. Singh has requested the BEST administration to undertake a detailed technical and financial assessment of the proposal and submit a comprehensive feasibility report before the BEST committee at the earliest.
