Realtime launches exclusive infotainment & edutainment channel inside BEST buses

Realtime Interactive Media, a Mumbai-based mobile out-of-home media company, has recently launched ‘I - Mumbai TV’, an exclusive infotainment and edutainment channel for BEST buses. In a bid to make commuting more entertaining and innovative for its patrons , BEST is set to install in its fleet an ambitious Visual Interactive Transit Entertainment System that aims to offer a bouquet of real time solutions and services.

The channel will feature a wide array of programmes, ranging from horoscope, numerology, palmistry by Bejan Daruwala to recipes and cooking tips by Tarla Dalal, POGO’s award winning show ‘M.A.D.’, and latest film reviews, Bollywood gossips and trivia by Komal Nathata, and Zee24 Taas for live news, among others. I - Mumbai TV will also provide information on vacancies, classifieds, geographic mapping, local offers and emergency numbers, besides special application on local search of utilities, BEST routes and fares, brand information, and so on.

Statistics reveal that in Mumbai, 83 per cent of the people travel by public transport, of which 48 lakh people commute by 4,120 buses, and the average travel time per passenger is 28 minutes per day. People spend more time travelling than reading newspaper or watching TV.

It’s a new way to reach a captive audience – televisions mounted on buses will flash round-the-clock information on the host of programmes and features to entertain riders. Commuters can also access detailed information for free through their Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones. With a host of services such as next stop announcements, weather updates, horoscopes, cricket updates, games, quiz, theatre box ticket availability, location Information, based ads, cooking recipe, stock and commodity rates, gold rates, discounts and offers, etc., passengers have the luxury of choosing/ downloading on their mobiles, topics displayed on the TV screen.

To start with, Realtime’s new technology will be introduced in 100 BEST buses, including 22 AC buses. Plans are afoot to cover the entire fleet of buses in the next 18-20 months.

Kaushik Tanna, Managing Director, Realtime Interactive, said, “The concept is sure to significantly change commuter perceptions in Mumbai. There is intense, real time engagement activity with the passengers and our aim is to remove the mundane by providing commuters with interesting and useful information with a range of innovative, interactive concepts by informing, educating and engaging the masses while they are travelling.”

“The Visual Interactive Transit Entertainment System is a real win-win for BEST and its patrons. It offers the commuters edge and offers first-hand knowledge of opportunities by local vendors,” said Dhaval Chandan, Chairman, Realtime Interactive.