On July 4, 2025, hundreds of students, parents, regular BEST commuters, old, young, activists from Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST, Fridays For Future Mumbai, Habitat and Livelihood Welfare Association, Humanist Centre, Jan Haq Sangharsh Samiti, Lokraj Sanghatana, Loktantrik Kamgar Union, Mulbhut Adhikar Sangharsh Samiti, Nagari Niwara Vichar Manch, Naujawan Bharat Sabha, Nivrut Kamgar Sanghatan, Pudhe Chala and Purogami Mahila Sanghatana gathered at the Mumbai, Wadala depot, demanding that, public transport is an issue of survival and livelihood for most of the commuters and hence, Mumbai’s lifeline BEST (public bus transport) service be considered as inviolable right of citizens.

They collectively submitted their demands to BEST authorities, the major demands being:

• The fare hike be immediately rescinded and restored to earlier levels.
• The decision to monetise depots be cancelled and BEST land be retained exclusively for BEST’s use.
• The February 2024 decision of the Municipal Commissioner be implemented so the BEST can henceforward be subsidised and operated as part of the BMC Budget.
• BEST discontinues wet-leasing and immediately purchase and operate its own buses to maintain a fleet of at least 6000 buses to meet the needs of commuters in the city.

Several activists and leaders addressed those Mumbaikars who had gathered. Speakers maintained that public transport is an inviolable right of citizens of the city. For decades. The BEST bus service has been a lifeline for the people of Mumbai, as it ensured that working people can travel to work, to schools and colleges, to hospitals, and for other needs of city life with safety, efficiency, and affordability. That is why Mumbaikars once used to love BEST as their own.

However, of late, over the past few years, in the name of “cutting losses,” BEST has increasingly brought in private contractors, doubled bus fares, reduced the bus fleet, and have thereby deepened the crisis — and it is the ordinary Mumbaikar who is paying the price.

Many commuters, including parents who drop and pick up children from school, students travelling to colleges and universities, patients travelling to public hospitals spoke about how doubling of the fare has led to major increase in their expenses and how they are finding it difficult to cope. The average daily BEST ridership dropped by at least 10%, after the fare hike, (nearly doubled) on May 9, 2025.[1]

One senior trade union leader Mr Ranga Satose, in fact, informed the protestors as to how Maharashtra Government has decided to monetise BEST properties, under the pretext of losses incurred. He said, that “Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Eknath Shinde held meeting in month of April 2025, and has decided to monetise all BEST assets, which includes 375 acres land.”

BMC the richest civic body in India, with ₹74,427 crore budget[2] for year of 2025: Public transport is not profit-making venture but the citizens’ right to affordable transportation

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) estimates a revenue income of Rs 43,159.40 crore for the fiscal year 2025-26, according to the Free Press Journal. This figure represents a 20.73% increase compared to the revised estimates for the previous year.[3]  The BEST transport division’s losses were covered by the more lucrative electricity division till 2017. But following a court order in November 2016, the cross-subsidy to the transport division came to halt.

Wet leasing: Contractualisation proposed to reduce losses

In 2018, BEST introduced wet leasing. Sudas Sawant, Public Relations Officer of BEST, explained that under the wet-leasing arrangement, contractors own and operate buses, and are also responsible for staff recruitment, fuel and maintenance of buses. In return, BEST pays the contractors a fixed amount per kilometre of transport.[4]

However, to the contrary, contractualiastion has led to further losses, along with an increase in accidents, poor and irregular service. The cost recovery index (according to annual operational and financial data of BEST) which was 2013-14 60 % has gone down to 25 % in 2022-23 (After introducing PPP model of wet leasing)

The memorandum submitted by the organisations clearly reveals the problem created by wet leasing.

2021 and 2022 – There was a justified strikes of wet-lease workers for the non-payment of wages in various depots, including Mumbai Central, Magathane, Kurla, Vikhroli, Wadala, and Bandra. This caused hundreds of buses at a time to be taken off the roads and led to widespread suffering by commuters. In September 2022 the BEST general manager himself sent a letter to the MP group of contractors reprimanding them for the frequent strikes by staff and for the frequent breakdowns.

2022 and 2023 – Due to improper maintenance, there were fires in a number of buses, including in Bandra, Andheri and Kandivali. As a result, in February 2023 the BEST management took 400 wet leased buses off the roads, again resulting in distress for commuters.

August 2023 – Again a massive justifiable strike of BEST wet-lease workers was called –workers ‘employed’ by different contractors– for various demands including a living wage. Over 1,000 buses were off the roads for seven days, disrupting the life of the city. The workers ended the strike on some assurances by the Government, but these were not fulfilled.

Of the 2,100 electric buses to be supplied by the private contractor Evey to BEST by August 2023, only 185 were supplied, a year after the deadline.

The real purpose behind Contractualisation: Selling family silver

The BEST did not diminish itself; it was deliberately done in.

In 2011-12, it was a proud public utility with a fleet of 4,700 buses ferrying 4.2 million a day. By 2023, its fleet was barely 2,964 with 3.5 million commuters; importantly, less than a third of the fleet was owned and operated by the BEST as the wet lease model took hold. In May 2025, only a fifth of the 2,600 buses were owned by the organization. The BEST-owned bus fleet has dipped to its lowest-ever at 795 buses. With 60-70 buses being phased out every month, the fleet will become zero this year or by early next year.[5]

The memorandum submitted by the organisations’ states that:

“The wet-lease model has already proved to be an unmitigated failure for BEST. Even with a largely privatised fleet, the transport division recorded a loss of Rs 2,160.17 crore in 2022–23. This model has also imposed social costs—ranging from service breakdowns and accidents to increased wait times and falling ridership,”

“Private contractors often compromise on safety and maintenance to boost profits. The result: more breakdowns, bus fires, and fatal accidents. Drivers are overworked, underpaid, and frequently untrained, putting passengers at risk. The experience of wet leasing has been negative for both commuters and workers. Fares have surged without delivering any tangible benefits. Service quality has deteriorated, especially in low-income areas. Long routes have been cut, leaving passengers stranded and forcing them to switch buses or transport modes—raising commute time and costs,”

The cumulative losses of BEST stand at around Rs 9,300 crore.[6] To make good, the organisation intends to sell or pawn its family silver – land parcels totalling more than 126 hectares, some at prime locations, across Mumbai. Back in 2017, incidentally when the privatisation began, international consultants PwC had valued the land at Rs 5,170 to Rs 6,160 crore, citizens’ groups point out. A few of its 27 bus depots have been monetised. Commercial developers have constructed plush towers; Mumbai got nothing from the public land. In a city rapidly privatising land, this fits the larger agenda.[7]

Complete disregard for Public Transport: complete lack of planning or feasibility studies

Local Railway

The average number of daily commuters on the western, central and harbour lines stood at 7.06 million[8]. In local railways due to massive overcrowding, nearly 7 persons get killed and another 7 persons, on an average, are injured daily.[9] There has been no attempt to improve the signalling system or introduce additional lines for local trains.

On June 9, 2025, near Mumbra five commuters lost their lives, when two overcrowded two trains passed each other in opposite direction.[10]  As a knee jerk reaction, Central Railway wants 800 Mumbai offices to change their work hours: Changing office timings will make it possible to manage crowds and make train journey of Mumbaikars safer, CR’s letter says[11]

Introduction of AC local trains: added disaster

Currently, CR operates 66 air-conditioned local train services in the Mumbai suburban section on weekdays, out of a total of 1,810 suburban services.

In a recent affidavit submitted to the High Court by Central Railways, highlights that the introduction of AC trains has led to a reduction in the capacity to run similar trains for similar destinations compared to non-AC trains. The affidavit further states that the door-closing and opening process of AC trains takes additional time, reducing the number of trains that can be operated on the same route.[12] Due to time constraints many non-AC commuters are forced to travel in AC trains and according to July 9, 2025 Loksatta, the railways have fined such commuters in just last 8 months to the tune of 63 lakhs. 

Unplanned introduction of Electric bikes: No feasibility study undertaken

In clear indication of shirking the responsibility of providing affordable public transport, the State government has given green signal to private two wheelers taxis, adding further to traffic vows.  On July 4, the state government notified the Maharashtra Bike-Taxi Rules, 2025, clearing the way for app-based aggregators to begin operations.[13]

Using public money and providing all the transport facilities at no cost to the richest of the city and country.

The Coastal road which is 8-lane, 29.2 km long road, which is developed at the cost of 13000-14000 crores, serves only private vehicles and taxis. Ordinary people availing public transport cannot use it. Still such an enormous amount of money is poured into it.

The Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway project in Maharashtra is estimated to have cost ₹55,000 crore. This 701-kilometer expressway aims to significantly reduce travel time between Mumbai and Nagpur, cutting it from 16 hours to approximately 8 hours. Western Dedicated Freight Corridor. Furthermore, some districts throughout the Expressway will receive easy access to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. It is also being promoted by Adani Reality.

The estimated cost for the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) is Rs 72,000 crore. This project is part of a larger nationwide logistics overhaul, with the total cost of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project estimated at Rs 1.24 lakh crore. The WDFC connects Khurja to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Maharashtra.

The “Shaktipeeth Expressway,” a proposed 802 km, six-lane, access-controlled expressway, estimated to cost ₹86,300 crore, aims to connect Nagpur with Patradevi on the Goa border, traversing 12 districts. This route is designed to facilitate the trade of Goa’s coal and minerals for two industrialists, Mr. Ambani and Mr Adani, to allow them to exploit the abundant minerals found in Konkan.  Farmers are protesting, fearing displacement and loss of fertile agricultural land. But the project is still on.

Development of Metros at enormous cost: non-affordable transport

Mumbai’s first-ever underground Metro is expected to begin operations in a phased manner starting in October, according to state agency officials. The Rs 37,276 crore project is likely to become fully operational in 2025.[14]

Mumbai’s metro network is set for a major expansion with MMRDA’s Rs. 10,970 crore budget for FY 2025–26.[15]

Mumbai’s Metro, once seen as the key to solving the transport chaos of the sprawling metropolis, is faltering with low ridership, high costs and poor integration — demanding a seamless approach to transform urban mobility[16]

Metro tickets ranging from Rs 10 to Rs 60 for a trip, with no season ticket subsidy is not an affordable mode of transport foe majority of working people in Mumbai.

The BEST buses constitute an essential and vital public service that keeps Mumbai moving and urgently needs to be supported through budgetary grants. Public transport must not be run for profit. Measures to improve efficiency and financial sustainability should serve the objective of increasing ridership, and not undermine it. Fare hikes, privatisation and land sales are ruinous for Mumbai and its common citizens.

(The author is an activist with Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi Best, a citizens network)

[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/best-daily-ridership-drops-10-as-officials-fear-more-may-migrate-to-other-modes/articleshow/121170354.cms

[2] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/brihanmumbai-municipal-corporation-presents-rs-74-427-crore-budget-for-202526-101738660999780.html

[3] https://www.financialexpress.com/budget/bmc-budget-2025-live-updates-mumbai-municipal-budget-2025-allocations-for-all-sectors-3736971/#:~:text=As%20of%20December%2031%2C%202024,revised%20estimate%20for%202024%2D25.

[4] https://citizenmatters.in/mumbai-public-transport-best-bus-contract-issues/

[5] https://questionofcities.org/mumbais-best-is-being-killed-the-political-will-to-revive-it-is-absent/

[6] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/bests-losses-mount-from-6-400-crore-to-9-200-crore-in-2-years-101732821142988.html

[7] https://questionofcities.org/mumbais-best-is-being-killed-the-political-will-to-revive-it-is-absent/

[8] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/suburban-railway-ridership-inches-back-to-pre-pandemic-levels-101730056826516.html

[9] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/7-people-lose-their-lives-on-railway-tracks-in-mumbai-every-day-101749496588283.html

[10] https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/mumbra-train-incident-accident-exposes-deadly-commuting-crisis-on-central-railway-101750531475489.html

[11] https://www.news18.com/cities/central-railways-requests-800-mumbai-offices-to-change-work-hours-to-reduce-crowding-on-trains-ws-kl-9427653.html

[12] https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-ac-local-trains-reduce-capacity-for-additional-services-in-suburban-section-cr-affidavit-reveals

[13] https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/electric-bike-taxis-now-legal-in-maharashtra-heres-what-the-rules-say-10114038/

[14] https://www.business-standard.com/india-news/mumbai-s-first-under-ground-metro-to-start-partial-operations-next-week-124092501001_1.html

[15] https://railanalysis.in/rail-news/mmrda-allocates-around-rs-10970-crore-for-metro-projects-in-fy-2025-26-budget/

[16] https://thesecretariat.in/article/metro-is-falling-short-mumbai-needs-multi-modal-transit

Related:

Citizens and experts rally to save Mumbai’s BEST buses from privatisation pitfalls

BEST strike over Diwali bonus shakes Mumbai’s Bus Service, reveals growing transit strain

Citizens take a stand to keep Aamchi BEST alive

The post Mumbai’s Second Lifeline in ICU: Mumbaikars respond to call of “Save BEST” appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Key speakers, including writer Murzban Shroff, public health expert Dr. Amar Jesani, and workers’ union leader Ranga Satavse, condemned the controversial wet-lease model under which private contractors lease buses to BEST. According to the speakers, this system has resulted in severe declines in the quality and availability of buses, inadequate maintenance, and overexploitation of workers.

Ranga Satavse, a prominent union representative for BEST workers, emphasised that privatisation, underpinned by the wet-lease system, has exacerbated issues like the increasing number of bus breakdowns, a lack of replacement parts, and poor working conditions. As per a report of the Free Press Journal, he noted that the increasing reliance on private contractors has led to rising costs for BEST and decreased reliability for commuters. 

The advocacy group has been vocal about the negative impacts of privatisation, and at this gathering, they reiterated their calls for urgent reforms to restore public accountability and service quality. Their demands include subsidising the BEST service as part of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) budget, a significant increase in the fleet size to at least 6,000 buses, and a halt to the monetisation of essential land holdings like the BEST depots.

AMAB’s key demands and proposed reforms

The AMAB movement, which has been raising awareness on this issue for some time, laid out a detailed list of demands aimed at reversing the negative impacts of privatisation and revitalising the public transport system for the benefit of all Mumbaikars. These demands are both practical and long-term, designed to address systemic issues in the transport sector.

1. Subsidisation and full public ownership of the fleet: AMAB advocates for the full integration of BEST’s budget with the BMC budget to ensure stable, long-term funding for public transport. By subsiding the service directly through public funds, AMAB argues that BEST can become more sustainable and be freed from the financial pressures of privatisation. The group also stressed that the entire bus fleet should be publicly owned to avoid the problems caused by the exploitation of workers under private contractors.
2. Restoration of the public fleet: One of the key issues addressed at the conference was the drastic reduction in the number of public buses. AMAB demanded that the fleet be restored to its former strength of over 4,000 buses, stating that the current fleet of about 3,000 buses, which includes wet-lease vehicles, is inadequate to meet the needs of Mumbai’s growing population. With public buses disappearing, the movement insists that the city’s transport infrastructure must revert to a publicly owned model to ensure reliability, safety, and affordability for all.
3. Increase in bus numbers to serve the growing population: AMAB highlighted the growing gap between the number of buses and the city’s expanding population. Currently, the city has roughly one bus per 5,000 residents, compared to the ideal ratio of one bus per 2,000 people. The group called for an increase in the number of buses to meet the needs of commuters, particularly in densely populated suburbs where service is currently inadequate.
4. Resumption of discontinued routes: The group also demanded the resumption of several bus routes that were discontinued under the privatisation model. These routes, according to AMAB, are critical to restoring comprehensive coverage across the city, ensuring that no area is left underserved. Discontinuing these routes has made commuting increasingly difficult, especially for working-class Mumbaikars in the suburbs.
5. Introduction of bus priority lanes: AMAB emphasised the need to introduce dedicated bus priority lanes on all arterial routes in the city. This would help buses run more efficiently, reduce delays caused by traffic congestion, and encourage more people to switch from private vehicles to public transport.
6. Halting the monetisation of BEST depots: Another critical demand raised at the conference was the cessation of the monetisation and redevelopment of BEST depots, which are essential for parking buses. AMAB argued that the land should remain under public ownership and not be used for private profit through real estate development. These depots are vital for ensuring that buses can be parked, maintained, and serviced properly, and their sale or redevelopment would further weaken the transport system.

Worker exploitation and the impact of privatisation

The decline in service quality is not only due to financial mismanagement but also stems from the exploitation of the workers employed under the wet-lease model. During the conference, several speakers raised concerns about the adverse working conditions that BEST workers face. 

As per a report of FPJ a retired employee of BEST, who was part of the AMAB movement, highlighted the overwork and underpayment of workers under the privatisation system. He mentioned that many workers have reported irregular payment schedules and inadequate benefits, which have led to high levels of dissatisfaction and even health issues among the workforce. The lack of proper training and equipment also results in poorly maintained buses, which further worsens the commuter experience.

The FPJ provides that AMAB’s 2022 survey of 100 contractor workers revealed alarming trends in worker exploitation. Many reported working long hours with insufficient rest, while others had to endure hazardous working conditions without proper safety gear. The survey also showed that the quality of services provided to Mumbai’s suburbs is far below the standards of the city, with commuters in outer areas facing poor bus frequency and reliability.

Ranga Satavse, representing the workers’ union, also spoke at the conference and noted that the privatisation process had increased inequality in service delivery, with areas that are not profitable for contractors receiving the worst service. He also pointed out that the growing worker dissatisfaction was inevitable under a system that places profit before public welfare.

Political response and public mobilisation

While AMAB’s calls for reform are gaining traction, the political response to the crisis remains subdued, with little attention being given to the decline of public transport ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections. However, some political parties, like the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), have included promises related to public transport in their election manifestos. 

The MVA has committed to providing free travel for women on government buses, as well as financial assistance for women under the Mahalaxmi scheme. This promise aims to address some of the concerns around public transport affordability, but it remains to be seen whether these promises will address the deeper issues of privatisation and service quality highlighted by AMAB.

The group also mentioned the need for public support, urging citizens to join the movement and demand a reversal of the privatisation policy. The crisis, which culminated in the October 14, 2024, shutdown of 250 buses operated by private contractors, serves as a stark reminder of the fragile state of Mumbai’s public transport system under privatisation. AMAB maintains that restoring BEST to its public roots is crucial for the city’s long-term prosperity and the well-being of its residents.

In conclusion, the conference was a call to action for citizens, workers, and political leaders alike to recognise the essential role that public transport plays in the city’s infrastructure and to urgently prioritise reforms that will ensure the sustainability of Mumbai’s bus services.

(Detailed report on issues of fleet size and funding of BEST buses may be read here.)

Related:

Maharashtra: Free speech has remained on the line of fire of the current regime, democracy on trial as state goes for election

BEST strike over Diwali bonus shakes Mumbai’s Bus Service, reveals growing transit strain

Samsung workers end strike but the core issue of recognition of unions’ remains

The post Citizens and experts rally to save Mumbai’s BEST buses from privatisation pitfalls appeared first on SabrangIndia.

As a result, each of the 26,000 BEST employees will now receive a bonus of ₹29,000, providing much-needed relief and assurance to the staff. However, due to the ongoing election code of conduct, BEST officials will first seek formal permission from the Election Commission before transferring the bonus amounts into employees’ bank accounts. BEST Union leader Shashank Rao emphasised that this move was essential, and that the situation could have been handled proactively to avoid service disruptions.

Widespread operational disruptions across Mumbai amid protests

As per various media reports, the strike severely disrupted Mumbai’s public transportation as BEST services halted at the Magathane depot and saw reduced operations at several others. On Bhai Dooj, which was celebrated on November 3, commuters in the city’s western suburbs, particularly around Borivali, faced extended delays and service gaps, causing major inconvenience for the 33 lakh Mumbaikars who rely on BEST buses daily. Passengers, especially office-goers and tourists, were left stranded or experienced prolonged waits at bus stops.

While BEST employees gained the support of some commuters who sympathised with their demand for timely bonuses, others voiced concerns over the timing of the strike. The disruption also triggered debate over the BMC’s management of the BEST Undertaking, as the unrest coincided with upcoming state assembly elections, giving rise to political scrutiny over the handling of BEST’s finances and fleet management.

Ongoing fleet shortages exacerbate challenges for BEST

Beyond employee unrest, the BEST administration is grappling with a severe fleet crisis, with bus numbers falling to below 3,000. As per a report of Times of India, the existing fleet shortage was worsened by delays in bus deliveries from contractors, who were previously supposed to deliver new vehicles as part of fleet expansion plans. Additionally, as per Mid-day, around 280 mini-buses were pulled from operation in October due to disputes with contractors, further straining service capacity and leaving commuters with fewer options.

BEST General Manager Anil Diggikar, while speaking to the TOI, acknowledged the challenges and organised an urgent meeting to address the workforce demands and fleet gaps. Following the strike, Diggikar provided that he was able to secure BMC’s approval of ₹80 crore to cover the Diwali bonus, assuring employees of timely payouts. However, Diggikar warned contractors of penalties if the delivery of new buses is not expedited. He confirmed that BEST expects the arrival of 80 electric air-conditioned (AC) buses by month-end and around 160 more by year-end, to increase the fleet’s capacity and meet peak-hour demand in busy routes. BEST has also planned to introduce open-deck double-decker tourist buses along popular routes like Marine Drive and the Fort area to cater to high weekend demand.

Bombay High Court ruling favours contractor in wet lease dispute with BEST

Amid fleet shortages, BEST’s operational capacity took another hit following a legal ruling that forced it to relinquish control of 250 mini-buses owned by contractor Hansa City Bus Services. The contractor, which had been operating buses for BEST under a wet lease agreement, terminated its contract in early October over unpaid dues amounting to ₹90 crore. The dispute escalated when Hansa City demanded the return of 250 AC buses but was initially prevented by BEST’s security personnel. BEST argued that the buses were critical for daily services, while Hansa cited high maintenance costs, increased fuel expenses, and additional overheads as factors in their decision to end the contract.

On November 2, the Bombay High Court ruled in favour of Hansa City, allowing the company to reclaim the buses parked at BEST depots. The court also appointed an arbitrator to settle outstanding issues between the parties. The ruling further reduced BEST’s fleet by 9% and exacerbated service gaps across the city. Nonetheless, the court ordered BEST to issue a show-cause notice if they wished to blacklist the contractor, underscoring the need for due process.

Calls for public ownership and investments in Mumbai’s bus fleet

The challenges facing BEST have sparked public debate over the future of Mumbai’s iconic bus service. Although daily ridership remains high at 33 lakhs as per the TOI, the fleet is far from adequate to meet the demands of a city nearing 20 million residents. TOI report provide that experts recommend a fleet size of 10,000 buses, but with only about 1,000 BEST-owned buses and close to 2,000 leased buses, the service is struggling to keep up. Transport advocates argue that the reliance on leased buses has led to a decline in service quality, citing frequent breakdowns, battery issues in electric buses, and untrained contract drivers as ongoing concerns.

Public groups, including the Aamchi Mumbai, Aamchi BEST forum, have voiced their opposition to privatisation efforts, demanding a full fleet of BEST-owned buses. They argue that BEST should operate as a “public-owned enterprise” to ensure affordability, reliability, and efficiency for all citizens. Activists like Vidyadhar Date and the Mumbai Mobility Forum have called on the BMC to immediately allocate funds for the purchase of 3,000 additional buses, emphasising that such investments are critical to maintaining the socio-economic backbone of the city.

The TOI report further provides that commuter advocates also highlight the affordability BEST offers, with minimum fares starting at just ₹5 for a 5-kilometer ride. They point out that daily commuters collectively save over ₹3 crore by choosing BEST, underlining the need for continued government support to maintain and expand the service. BEST General Manager Diggikar echoed these concerns, stressing the urgency of expanding the fleet to reduce waiting times, particularly during peak hours. He assured that BEST was pursuing all possible measures to reduce commuter inconvenience, with an anticipated delivery of 80 new buses by the end of the month.

A turning point for Mumbai’s public transport system?

With growing public support for BEST employees’ rights and mounting frustrations among commuters, the current challenges highlight the critical role of public investment in urban transit. As union leaders, officials, and commuter advocates call for structural reforms, the need for a reliable, publicly-owned BEST fleet has never been clearer. By addressing the immediate issues of fleet expansion, employee satisfaction, and commuter convenience, BEST can restore confidence in its role as an essential public service in Mumbai. Activists and citizens alike hope that the administration will prioritise investment in the city’s “second lifeline,” ensuring that BEST can meet the evolving needs of this city.

Related:

Maharashtra: How Mumbai grabs a lion share of the agricultural credit in the state

CJP files complaint with Maharashtra Election Commission over communal posters featuring UP CM Yogi Adityanath

Pre-Election Gimmickry, Maharashtra: Mahayuti govt compelled to appropriate INDIA alliance Constitution driven call?

Maharashtra: Six more complaints filed against hate offenders by CJP

The post BEST strike over Diwali bonus shakes Mumbai’s Bus Service, reveals growing transit strain appeared first on SabrangIndia.

A part of the frontline group battling the Covid-19 crisis, bus drivers in Maharashtra have been toiling day and night, ferrying essential services workers to their destinations and back home safely. However, the irony is that these drivers are themselves left out of the gamut of safety protocols with not all of them being given Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect themselves from the infection.

In light of this, the BEST (Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport) Workers’ Union, the BEST Sanyukta Kamgar Kruti Samiti (BSKKS), the biggest union in the transport undertaking, has given a call to 40,000 staffers to ‘Stay Home’ from Monday if the administration does not accept its demands, which include gear like PPE kits, masks, sanitizers and gloves for drivers and conductors, proper quarantine and hospital facilities and Rs. 1 crore medical cover for employees and their families, reported The Times of India.

Workers’ union leader Shashank Rao said that the union had repeatedly been demanding protection for workers who were exposed to the virus and alleged that the administration had done nothing to address the matter. He said, “We have waited for long and now we want all workers to be safe and stay home from Monday if the management fails to give us facilities for a safe working environment.”

Hindustan Times reported that as per the ask of BSKKS, BEST administration should provide proper quarantine and hospitalization facilities with proper food, water, medicines, being arranged by the undertaking. BSKKS demands include comprehensive medical insurance of ₹1 crore for employee and their family members, mandatory health check-up of all employees and, a separate dedicated hospital for BEST staff apart from a ‘shaheed’ (martyr) status for those who die on duty.

Currently, the number of BEST employees testing positive for the crisis stands at 98. “Of this, the recovery rate is 38% and no staffer is in ICU,” said BEST chief medical officer, Dr Anil Kumar Singhal. So far, there have been six deaths in the BEST.

However, some officials complain that the move is unwarranted especially because these drivers and conductors are frontline workers. BEST General Manager Surendrakumar Bagde, said, “There are no complaints from staffers who are getting special allowance for Covid duties, proper protection and medical care,” adding that the undertaking will provide face shields to conductors.

A rival union led by Suhas Samant, which claims to have 10,000-15,000 members, said: “We will ensure every staffer is on duty on Monday and the image of the undertaking is not tarnished by such unjusitifed call for a strike…” He also added that his union has also sought from the administration protective gear for drivers and conductors.

Related:

Pelting stones in protest against a failing system is tough on a hungry stomach

K’taka HC asks state to immediately take decision on payment of fares of migrants

The post BEST threatens strike if drivers and conductors not given PPEs by Maharashtra gov’t appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Last month Sabrang India had reported about the BMC’s decision to ply BEST buses on feeder routes only which meant that buses would supplement other modes of public transport like railways, monorail and Metro rail. BMC Chief Praveen Pardeshi had said in September, “The red buses should ply on bare minimum long-distance routes where Metro does not operate.”

This was a shocking statement to come from the BMC especially after the BEST services were given a push by reducing bus fares, expanding its fleet and introducing new buses which was done in response to citizens support movements as well as a nine-day protest strike. It also came as a shock because BEST buses are the cheapest mode of transport for the common Mumbaikar and it would not be convenient to keep changing modes of transport, from bus to train to Metro rail. Sabrang had, through its article, urged the BMC to not go ahead with its plans.

Citizens have taken up the cudgels again to stand for their BEST. An open letter signed by 54 activists under an independent citizens’ forum, Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST (AMAB) urged the BMC Commissioner to not restrict BEST as merely a feeder service. They also urged the civic transport provider to run additional long route services, which can act as an alternative to the existing railway and Metro corridors. Vidyadhar Date, convenor of AMAB, said, “A city like London, which has one of the oldest Metro networks, also has a very robust bus network, which is available even late in the night.”

The letter suggested that the buses which are wet-leasing may be kept for feeder services and the regular buses of BEST be kept running on their usual routes and also urged that the cancelled routes be revived for convenience of commuters.

Ideally, the public transport in any city should not just complement each other but should provide a range of alternatives for its residents, so that every income group can, by volition choose to use a particular mode of transport depending on their affordability. By reducing BEST to feeder services will amount to compelling people from lower income groups to use a service like metro which charges more than a BEST bus for the same route.  

Related:

BUS KARO, BMC! Chief Pardeshi says BEST will only be a feeder service in the future
Don’t restrict BEST as feeder service to make other modes of transport a success: Activists to BMC
What Free Public Transport Means To Delhi’s Women

The post Citizens take a stand to keep Aamchi BEST alive appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Image Courtesy: DNA

Dear Folks, just when we thought our beloved BEST was resuscitated and brought back from the clutches of death; the recent statement by the BMC Chief has almost taken its breath away – and not in a good way.

BMC Chief Praveen Pardeshi recently said that the BEST, the lifeline of Aamchi Mumbai will only operate on feeder routes, i.e. mostly just ply to railway, Metro and Mono stations in the future. At the launch of the city’s first AC mini-buses at Colaba on September 16, he said, “The red buses should ply on bare minimum long-distance routes where Metro does not operate.”

In the recent past, the BMC really outdid themselves by giving the BEST a push towards success – they announced a drastic reduction in the bus fares, majorly expanded the bus fleet, decided to fund the BMC to bring it out of its losses, implemented dedicated bus lanes and imposed heavy fines for parking private vehicles on major routes (we know you all shared memes about this).

This move by the civic authorities did not materialize in a vacuum. A robust and creative citizens support movement, a nine day protest strike, brought the authorities to their knees, so to speak.

But the announcement of reducing the BEST to a feeder service has shocked us. Let us tell you why.
 

1. AAMCHI BEST is the cheapest mode of transport there is for the AAM AADMI. Shuttling only on long routes in the future will deny the lower income sections of the society of the option of traveling by bus. How will they travel?
2. Yes, we know, EK SE BHALE DO. But not in this matter. It takes time, effort and money to change modes of transport – from bus to rail and back to bus again. Isn’t it just way more sensible for commuters to stick to one mode of transport (buses) for certain distances and routes?
3. BEST has always emerged to be India’s transport Superhero – come rain or shine. Let us just not get into what happens to the railway network when it pours. How then can the BMC take away this great service away from the people?
4. Unlike the railways, the BEST services are flexible and can be expanded according to shifting demand, almost cost-free. Isn’t it better then, to institute dedicated lanes for buses – even on roads where the Metro operates and the let the commuters which works better for them in terms of cost and convenience?
5. The government is already building a coastal road, open to only private vehicles, where no buses will be plying. Why are we robbing the city of public transport and aiding pollution when the whole world is shifting towards doing the opposite?
6. Won’t this step force the aam junta to shell out more from their pockets forcibly? Isn’t the BMC secretly aiding crony capitalism by doing this?
7. If the buses go, the bus depots will go too. The bus depots which sit on a huge chunk of land will be sold. To whom? No prizes for guessing!

Worldwide, the public transport system is gaining popularity. Countries in Europe have made bus transport free of cost. Not only this, they have the lowest carbon footprint per passenger than any other form of motorized transport.

We at Sabrang India, appeal to the people to ask the BMC Commissioner to take back his statement. The BEST is the lifeblood of the city and it is our duty to save it.
 
Related Articles:

1. BMC announces 100 crore monthly aid for BEST buses on conditions of Wet-leasing
2. Government and automobile lobby are in a cosy affair while public transport is treated like filth
3. Striking Workers of Mumbai’s Red BEST Bus face threat of losing Jobs: BMC

The post BUS KARO, BMC! Chief Pardeshi says BEST will only be a feeder service in the future appeared first on SabrangIndia.

The BMC, on Thursday, has announced a financial aid of Rs 100 crore a month to “help the undertaking improve its transport wing.” BEST currently takes loans of Rs 184-crore every month to pay salaries and there has been a demand from various quarters to merge BMC-BEST budgets.

The announcement was made by Mayor V Mahadeshwar in the presence of group leaders of various political parties and the newly-appointed Municipal Commissioner Praveen Pardeshi. The Mayor said that it will take about seven to eight months for the merger and until then, financial aid of Rs 100 crore per month will be granted.

However, this announcement comes with several riders. BEST is required to work out a plan on procuring an additional 3000 buses through wet-leasing. Wet leasing is the process of handing out a service to a private contractor. The buses procured by wet-leasing are required to be added to the existing fleet of 3200 buses. Officials from the BEST have been asked to submit a report on wet leasing process to the BMC ‘soon’. Deputy General manager of BEST reportedly said, “We will work out the modalities of wet leasing another 3000 buses.”

Reportedly, the meeting was held to address BEST’s demand of a Rs 250-crore aid to pay off its dues to Tata power. The BMC, however, had made it clear that the package is only for its transport wing and that it will have to manage its electricity dues on its own.

The BMC is expected to conduct a review at the end of each month to ascertain how the money improved bus services. BEST officials have also been asked to consider a report of consultancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, which estimated that the undertaking could turn a profit of Rs 150 crore a month by opening its depots and colonies for commercial exploitation.

However, citizens’ groups have mixed reactions on the development. Hussain Indorewala, assistant professor of Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi school and part of the forum to protect BEST buses, Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST (AMAB), said, “Now, BEST is getting a subsidy to justify wet-leasing. We welcome the merger but wet-leasing of buses will do more damage than good as the efficiency of buses will go down. Further, if commercialisation of BEST is being done, it will be a big blow to the undertaking in the long run. The subsidy is just another way for the administration to have its way. The only difference is that it’s being presented as a progressive step.”

The AMAB group said that they are awaiting more details from the BMC and that they welcomed the merger proposal, but without any of the conditions. They said that the conditions [of wet leasing] were not in commuters’ and public interest

Earlier this year, a 9-day BEST bus strike, longest in recent history, came to an end after a division bench of Chief Justice N.H. Patil and Justice N.M. Jamdar passed an order saying, “The mediator shall within a period of three months discuss demands put forth by the employees, like 20-step pay hike, merger of BEST and BMC budgets, and so on,”. The other demands raised during the time were about improving public transport, discouraging private cars, reducing bus fares drastically, increasing the frequency of BEST buses, purchasing new buses, reviving discontinued routes etc.
 BEST workers’ union leader, Shashank Rao, reportedly said that he was yet to receive a communication on the deal. “It’s the municipal corporation responsibility to run BEST undertaking which was one of our primary demands,” he said. BEST workers, whose primary demands were wage raises and a BEST-BMC budget merger, had agreed to call off their strike and accept a 10-step increment proposal after the Bombay High Court appointed a mediator to resolve all pending issues within three months.

Right now the plan for a transition to contractor run buses, or documents on cost savings etc. are still awaited. One of the most pressing concerns of falling ridership also needs to be addressed, still. It also remains to be seen whether wet-leasing will be combined with other reforms such bus priority lanes, traffic management, parking policy etc.

https://sabrangindia.in/article/draconian-mesma-enacted-against-best-bus-workers-strike-enters-seventh-day
https://sabrangindia.in/article/government-and-automobile-lobby-are-cosy-affair-while-public-transport-treated-filth
https://sabrangindia.in/article/striking-workers-mumbais-red-best-bus-face-threat-losing-jobs-bmc

The post BMC announces 100 crore monthly aid for BEST buses on conditions of Wet-leasing, appeared first on SabrangIndia.