Mumbai's BEST bus fleet reaches lowest point in 20 years

Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking (BEST) is facing a significant crisis. The fleet has dropped to its lowest point in 20 years, now totaling just 2,799 buses. Meanwhile, 140 new electric buses have been sitting idle at two depots in Ghatkopar and Vikhroli for over a month. In 2009, BEST had 4,037 buses, which increased to 4,700 in 2011 before declining to 4,288 in 2014. The current numbers show a troubling downward trend. The new buses, supplied by Olectra Greentech, are not being used due to new training protocols for drivers. Following a tragic accident in December that resulted in 10 deaths, BEST has required drivers to complete 28 days of training for each type of vehicle. Hussain Indorewala, from the group Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST, criticized the management for not having enough trained staff. He believes that if more drivers were trained, these issues could have been avoided. Recruitment is currently ongoing to hire more drivers to support the expanding fleet. Olectra Greentech operates alongside other companies like Evey Trans Pvt Ltd, which runs 351 buses in Mumbai, and Switch Mobility with 50 buses. Indorewala pointed out that BEST should ideally have its own buses and drivers for more operational flexibility. He warned that if BEST continues relying on private operators, it could lose control of public transport in the city. Neither Olectra Greentech nor BEST's general manager, S.V.R. Srinivas, responded to requests for comments on the situation.