B.E.S.T Proposal.

One of the things pretty high on my wish list is to be a Double-Decker bus driver on the streets of my great city. These things are huge and cumbersome. No hint of power steering, no traction control or syncro-mesh gear box, or independent suspension. They are brutes of steel driven mainly by Indians' everlasting confidence in God and Brit engineering. The great Leyland company offers a cash prize to anyone who topples this bus by driving it rashly. Needless to say this prize has been unclaimed for about more than 50 years now.

The nub of the whole thing being, that I just can't imagine that I am the only one in Mumbai or India for that matter who desires being the driver of such a legendary public conveyance, so here goes a proposal to the BEST.

Start a course offering lay public instruction in driving a Double-Decker bus (DDB). They can charge a tidy little sum for the same. They own huge vacant plots where they can set-up a training track.

BEST can test the general driving skill of the prospective trainees before they let them start the course. They can also have a waiver stating that the trainees are learning at their own risk and it is not binding on BEST to let them ride the bus due to any reason whatsoever.

Then they can train the whole batch at once on the recently laid test track. Theory lessons interspersed with practicals on the working of the bus transport system in suburban Mumbai. Along with history lessons about BEST and it's role in making Mumbai what it is. There would be simulators along with detailed GPS maps of the city routes for the trainees to familiarize themselves.

After a fortnight or so of intensive testing, there can be a test. Candidates who pass this test, can get a license to drive the DDB on a select short route, on a Sunday, when the roads are not that crowded. Hopefully with the help of traffic police, a short diversion can be created for about three or four hours on that route.

They can have family and friends of the drivers, lined up at the different stops on the way, to try and simulate almost real life conditions.

Even the bus could be different. Open top bus, with streamers and other decorations. Serve as a warning to other vehicles on the road too. A celebration party for all the successful candidates on the bus itself at the end of the day. With a ceremonious handing over of the BEST license and Badge stating the wearer is formally trained in the rigors of DDB driving.

Wot say BEST?