Flash strike by section of bus drivers impacts BEST services in Mumbai; crowd at bus stops | Mumbai News – The Times of India
MUMBAI : Due to Flash strike by Wet lease bus staff, bus services are affected this morning.
The wet lease drivers have a morcha to Azad Maidan in the afternoon to demand “Equal work, Equal pay” and other facilities at par with full time BEST staffers.
Activist Nikhil Desai said : “During school childrens exam time such tactics is shameful.
The govt should take strict action against the strikers and also make alternate arrangements… taking help of ST buses. There should be urgent crisis management.”
A huge crowd was witnessed at bus stops due to shortage of BEST fleet as a section of wet lease drivers are on flash strike.
“The BEST fleet is less than 2900 buses for the past few months and this has affected the frequency of buses at the stops.
With a flash strike by some drivers, the situation has worsened for city commuters, especially office goers, who depend on this road lifeline for travel,” said a transport activist.
BEST has deployed its own drivers to operate some of the wet lease buses from the depot.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- A flash strike by
wet lease bus drivers disrupted bus services, causing major inconvenience to commuters in the morning due to reduced fleet availability. - Striking drivers are marching to Azad Maidan, demanding “Equal work, Equal pay” and benefits similar to full-time BEST staff, highlighting unfair treatment.
- Activist Nikhil Desai criticized the strike during school exams, urging the government to take strict action and arrange alternative transport like ST buses.
- Bus stops saw huge crowds as the BEST fleet, already reduced to under 2,900 buses, struggled to meet demand, affecting office-goers and daily commuters.
- To ease the crisis, BEST deployed its own drivers to operate some wet lease buses, but the strike continues to impact public transport services significantly.
