Mid-day Test Drive: BEST ensures SSC students reach examination centres on time

In an effort to assist SSC students in reaching their examination centers on time the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply And Transport BEST buses have been prioritising their needs during the ongoing examsMidday conducted a test drive on Monday to check whether BEST buses were halting near SSC exam centers and whether students were given priority to ensure timely arrivalsThe test drive was conducted on a bus originating at Gorai Jetty in Borivali West traveling to Borivali Railway Station covering a stretch of approximately 6 kilometers Throughout the journey students were observed using the BEST bus service to reach their examination centers According to middays photographer Nimesh Dave students were seen inside the bus heading to various SSC centers along the wayThere are five SSC examination centers along the route from Gorai Jetty to Borivali Station and the BEST staff was seen giving priority to students The buses made sure to halt at the designated stops near the centers and even at some unscheduled spots to allow students to deboard The buses also stopped for longer durations at these centers compared to other stopsKey SSC Centres and Bus StopsSuvidya School Located in Gorai Borivali around 5 minutes walk from Maxus Mall the onduty BEST driver and conductor ensured the announcement of this centers name This allowed students to disembark without missing their stop as the school is situated on an inner roadSailee International School Situated at the Old MHB Colony only a 2minute walk from the MHB Colony Bus Stop the BEST staff made sure students did not miss their stop allowing them to disembark without issuesDon Bosco High School Located at a major junction in Borivali West this center is just a 2minute walk from the Don Bosco Borivali Bus Stop SSC students were seen getting off here to reach the center which is situated at the junction of five major roadsAcharya Narendra Dev Vidyamandir This school is located just a 3minute walk from the Babhai Fish Market Bus Stop on LT Road The BEST staff ensured the announcement of the SSC centers name as it is situated on an inner road making it easier for students to reachSt Annersquos Girls High School Situated behind Swatantra Veer Sawarkar Udyan on LT Road this is the last SSC center on the route The center is beside the Maharashtra Nagar Bus StopBEST Officials SpeakAn onduty BEST conductor who requested to remain anonymity shared their perspective with midday On the days of the examination we make sure that students reach their centers on time We understand the anxiety of students and we donrsquot want them to miss their stop and have to travel back Students are given priority during this period to ensure they are not left behind even at the bus stops We also allow them to board the bus from the front door if the bus is crowded so they donrsquot have to wait for another busThe conductor added Students need to reach their centers during peak office hours making it difficult to find other transport options like autorickshaws On this route there are five SSC examination centers and even if the bus stop is a bit farther we make sure students are informed about the nearest stop to their exam centerWith the added effort from BEST staff SSC students are being given special priority to ensure they reach their examination centers on time and with less stress