Mumbai BEST Bus Crisis: Drivers Protest Over Pay, Services In South Mumbai

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking is facing operational challenges as drivers employed by wet-lease operator Switch Mobility Ltd have stopped working, citing dissatisfaction with their salaries, according to a Hindustan Times (HT) report. Over the past four days, BEST officials reported that approximately 60 drivers did not report for duty. To maintain services, BEST has deployed drivers from its own payroll to fill the gap.

The protesting drivers are demanding a salary hike, stating they have not received any increments since February 2023, when air-conditioned double-decker electric buses were first introduced in Mumbai. Drivers claim they were promised monthly salaries ranging from Rs 23,000 to Rs 25,000 but are currently receiving only Rs 18,000 to Rs 20,000. Some drivers, frustrated by the situation, have resorted to alternative employment, such as driving auto-rickshaws or aggregator cabs. A few have returned to work after several days of protest, but discontent remains widespread.

Photo Credit: PTI

A BEST spokesperson confirmed in the HT report that discussions between the drivers and Switch Mobility Ltd are ongoing. "We are providing our own drivers to ensure normal bus operations," the spokesperson said.

Shashank Sharad Rao, a BEST union leader, expressed concerns over the safety of the wet lease model. "BEST drivers are being asked to operate AC double-decker e-buses without adequate training, which is a safety issue. We oppose this and urge the wet lease model to be scrapped altogether," he said in the same report.

Currently, BEST is operating at 75-80 per cent capacity with its fleet of 50 AC double-decker e-buses. These buses serve key routes in south Mumbai, including Churchgate, Colaba, CSMT, Gateway of India, and other areas such as Santacruz, Kurla, Ghatkopar, and Andheri (East). The ongoing drivers' strike has had the greatest impact on routes in south Mumbai.

Mahesh Babu, CEO of Switch Mobility Ltd, declined to comment on the protest but explained the delay in delivering 200 SWITCH EiV22 double-decker e-buses to BEST. He attributed the delay to a regulatory change introduced by the Government of India in April 2023, which mandates the installation of an Electronic Vehicle Stability Control System (EVSC). "This regulatory change required significant modifications in product development and homologation, leading to higher manufacturing and operational costs," he told HT. Discussions with BEST to resolve these issues are currently underway.

The situation remains fluid as negotiations continue, and commuters are urged to check for updates on bus services.