AUGUST 6: From open-air ferry buses to the eco-friendly modes of communication which run on compressed natural gas (CNG), the BEST has secured several firsts to its credit, in the last 50 years. And yet, urban commuting in the city has seen many a bumpy ride, since a need was first felt for a comfortable mode mass transport system in 1873.

Horse-drawn carriages galloped on the sleepy streets of `Bombai' then, which was a luxury that few could afford. Hundreds would gather around to simply take a look at them.

It took 33 years for the horse-driven coaches to be replaced by power-driven coaches. The then Bombay Electric Supply and Tramways ran its first electric tram in 1907. Soon, double-decker trams were also successfully launched.To run the first single-deck bus in 1926, technical expertise was imported. This was again, little relief for the middle class. For, while the fare of a tram from Sassoon Dock to Dadar was nine paise, a bus ride would leave their pockets lighter by 25 paise.

With the municipalisation of the BEST, just four days before the Independence, the tramways also came under the common umbrella. Gasoline-run American cars were introduced soon after and luxury coaches were pressed into service. The tram was completely phased out in 1964.The bus, since then, became a lifeline for the common man. And it has remained that way ever since. Says Vinay Mohan Lal, General Manager, BEST, on the eve of its 50th anniversary: ``Public transport is a service industry and its success should not be measured by profitability alone. It shoulders the responsibility of bridging distances. It helps in the development of the economy and serves social cause.'' An apt gift on the golden jubilee is the introduction of air-conditioned buses which would charge just about two and a half times the ordinary bus fare.

Special schemes for ladies, school children and point-to-point services are among the other few extra services of the BEST to its valued passengers. The services knit through the city and the far flung suburbs and caters to nearly 45 lakh passengers with an existing facility of 3,400 buses.

After all its services to the city, it still remains a loss-making venture. Luckily for the BEST, it covers up from its power supply, a small black spot in an otherwise efficient service.

Meanwhile, the BEST's plans to celebrate the 50 years of municipalisation will include a grand function at the Yeshwantrao Chavan Pratisthan Auditorium, tomorrow, which will be attended by the Chief Minister Manohar Joshi and the Deputy Chief Minister Gopinath Munde. A book on the history of BEST and the in-house journal are slated to be released here.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.