Mumbai: In the last five years, BEST has scrapped 2,160 buses while acquiring only 37. By Aug this year, the number of BEST-owned buses had dwindled to 1,061 and has since further reduced to 1,021. Over this period, BEST’s fleet has steadily declined, with contracts for new buses being awarded primarily to wet lease operators. Activists say these operators’ drivers have been linked to the highest number of accidental deaths.
Data obtained by TOI reveals in the last three years, crashes involving wet lease drivers accounted for 40 deaths—nearly double the 22 deaths involving BEST-owned buses. The total fleet has fallen below the 3,000 mark, now standing at 2,911 buses, with 1,890 on wet lease and just 1,021 directly owned by BEST. “The shortage of buses has led to growing frustration among commuters,” said RTI activist Jeetendra Ghadge, who obtained fleet statistics. Viral videos show long queues at bus stops, with excessively crowded buses arriving or, worse, not arriving at all.
“We have observed numerous instances of reckless driving in Mumbai over the past four years, particularly following the introduction of contractual buses. A driver bears immense responsibility, considering that more than 60 passengers are typically on board a crowded bus. The public rightfully expects safe and attentive driving skills,” said commuter rights activist Rupesh Shelatkar from Aapli BEST Aaplyachsathi. “While full-time drivers receive comprehensive training by BEST, contractual drivers lack rigorous instruction.”
Commuter rights activist Irfan Machiwala from Mahim said bus drivers should be made to undergo periodic refresher courses: “Many have no fear of the law. Punishment should be stringent for rash driving.”
A bus driver said that contractual drivers are discontented that their demands for salary hikes and facilities on a par with those for full-time bus drivers have not been met and this could be affecting their work.
A driver said contractual drivers resent being paid poorly and not being granted facilities on a par with BEST-employed drivers. Activists, unions and former BEST panel members are unanimous in their demand that BEST should run its own buses, maintaining a fleet of 3,337 as per a 2019 MoU. The BEST-owned fleet has dwindled by 70% in six years, said union leader Shashank Rao.
Former BEST panel member Sunil Ganacharya said, “It would be catastrophic if BEST entirely depends on wet-lease buses and contractual drivers.”