BEST general manager Lokesh Chandra on Thursday said the notice was pending for long. “We have received several complaints from commuters about the nuisance posed by fellow passengers who play loud music on phone, watch video or speak at a high pitch while on their phone inside the bus,” Chandra said.
This is a perennial problem not only on buses but on local trains too. This anti-social attitude of playing loud music on mobile phones and talking loudly is a major nuisance and disturbs fellow passengers. Authorities, such as conductors and ticket inspectors, should ensure that the rule is followed strictly, and offenders punished. Commuters also need to complain and not remain mute spectators.
He said that while travelling in an aircraft, there are instructions which include using headphones for listening to music. “We are issuing similar directives to our commuters with the intention that they do not disturb co-passengers,” he said.
City’s BEST bus commuters welcome its ‘sound’ move
Commuters flouting the new BEST directive on excessive sound in a bus can be prosecuted under section 38 of the Bombay Police Act, 1951. “Our conductors will take cognisance of complaints from fellow passengers (or take cognisance on his own) and can hand over the offender to the police for further action,” said the undertaking’s GM Lokesh Chandra on Thursday.
The Act, which deals with offences related to annoyance, disturbance or discomfort in public due to music, sound or noise, has a hefty fine up to Rs 5,000 or three months imprisonment.
Many commuters welcomed this move, saying it will ensure mobile phones do not disturb other passengers. A section of commuters, however, said there was no clarity on what defines “loud talk”. “Many a times, the sound of the bus engine and surrounding noise is so loud that we have to speak loudly for the person on the other end of the phone to hear us. Is it wrong to do so?” asked Nilesh Thakkar, a commuter. Another commuter said it was annoying when people listened to songs on the bus or used the speaker phone.
Chandra pointed out that the basic idea was to create a deterrent. People are tired after a day’s work and are travelling in our buses or want to travel peacefully while going to work. Some of them take a short nap. We do not want them to be disturbed by loud music.”
Instructions will be put on stickers in every bus which will be given to drivers/conductors of BEST-owned and wet-lease buses.