JBIMS have come up with in their research paper on the ‘Turnaround of the BEST’
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking
(BEST) can make use of its prime properties in the city to generate revenue for
their transportation sector. It can use global positioning system (GPS)
to communicate effectively with its passengers and bring down the waiting time at
bus stops. These are some of the suggestions that students from the Jamnalal Bajaj
Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) have come up with in their research paper
on the ‘Turnaround of the BEST’.
Students of the management institute will be presenting research papers on seven
topics in their annual business convention called ‘Strategym’ in November. While
one of the groups has chosen the revamp of BEST buses as their topic, the others
are working on a paper about giving a face-lift to Doordarshan. A group of five
students from the institute are looking at making BEST a self-sustaining model.
Kirti Chougule, one of the students working on the project, said, "The transport
division of the BEST needs a complete overhaul. To control the problem of vehicular
congestion, it is important to have robust public transport. Being a public organization,
they can’t increase fares to make profits."
Their paper would be looking at aspects of using the prime properties in the city.
"The BEST can either lease them or give them on rent by commercializing some parts.
They can also cut down on the number of buses during the non-peak hours like afternoons.
Many a times, passengers just give up on waiting for a bus as there is no fixed
schedule for the arrival of the buses. The BEST can make use of GPS to inform passengers
about the location of the buses," said Chougule. Tying up with corporates will also
help them use the services more effectively. "They can tie up with several corporates
and pick and drop people at a common destination," added the student.
Another group of students will be presenting a paper on revamping Doordarshan. "Even
today, with so many players in the field, Doordarshan manages to have the highest
TRPs because of its reach. The channel may benefit from a change in time slots.
They can slot popular shows like Chhayageet during prime time to increase viewership.
The channel can also use high definition (HD) technology as most channels are now
converting to it," said Reena Damani, one of the students working on the project.
Apart from these two projects, the students also are working on ways to revive the
healthcare sector in the city, BSNL, reviewing insurance sector and even a project
on affordable housing. Last year, a research paper on ‘Revamping drainage and sanitation
facilities’ presented in ‘Strategym’ was taken up for implementation by the UNICEF
and BMC, claim the students.
Student Speak: One of the suggestions in the paper
on the BEST is for the undertaking to use its properties across the city to generate
revenue Another is the use of GPS to help commuters keep track of buses and routes
Students suggest that the undertaking cut down the number of buses plying during
non-peak hours.
Courtesy: Times of India
