Mumbai's BEST Bus Service Faces Crisis: Routes Cut, Commuters Struggle

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking is currently facing a severe crisis, with its bus services increasingly dwindling due to a shortage of buses, as per the Midday report. The situation began deteriorating in 2021 when the number of active routes started to decline. At one point, BEST operated a fleet of nearly 3,600 buses, serving around 500 routes. However, today, this has been reduced to about 2,911 buses and only 300 to 350 routes.

Of the 2,911 buses currently in operation, only around 1,000 are owned by BEST; the remainder are operated under a wet lease arrangement. The situation worsened in October 2023, when a key wet lease supplier withdrew 280 buses from service, further crippling the fleet.

Routes Discontinued

Several popular routes have been discontinued over the past few years. One such example is Route No. 1, which used to connect Bandra Reclamation to RC Church. It was discontinued in mid-2023, forcing commuters to change buses multiple times to complete the same journey. Similarly, Route No. 180, which connected Malwani Depot to the international airport, was a vital link until it was reduced in 2014. The route once served areas like Link Road, SV Road, and the Western Express Highway.

Other routes like No. 306 (Mulund to Santacruz) and No. 506L (Jijamata Udyan to Nerul) have also faced cuts. The situation has led to long queues at stations such as Andheri, with commuters like Shubham Padave urging BEST to restore services.

Commuters Demand Improvement

Commuters have been vocal about the need for improvement in services. "It's high time that BEST improves its service and restores its frequency," said Padave in the Midday report. He also highlighted the lack of dedicated bus lanes in many parts of the city, with the only operational lane being the one from Chakala to Vishal Hall in Andheri. Commuter Himanshu Mukherjee added in the report, "Many routes were curtailed due to Metro construction and traffic issues."

Vishal Borkar, another commuter, expressed frustration in the report over the systematic shutdown of long-distance routes, noting that these cuts have severely impacted the city's connectivity. "What's the point of spending almost a lakh crore on the Metro when BEST services are being starved?" said transport activist Vidyadhar Date.

Promises And Expectations

The BEST undertaking has made several promises in recent years, but progress has been slow. AV Shenoy from the Mumbai Vikas Samiti pointed out in the report that out of 900 AC buses promised by the previous general manager, only 50 had been delivered. Shashank Sharad Rao, General Secretary of the BEST Workers' Union, stressed in the report the importance of self-owned buses, stating that the undertaking needs 3,337 self-owned buses to provide adequate service.

In response, BEST's General Manager Anil Diggikar presented a budget with a Rs 9,200 crore liability primarily caused by its transport wing. However, BEST officials have assured that they are working on a plan to procure more buses, including 250 electric buses through a deal with PMI Electro Mobility Solutions, to be delivered by FY26.

Success Story: Route No. 340

Despite the challenges, some routes have thrived. Route No. 340, running from Ghatkopar East to Andheri East, has proven to be a success. Initially predicted to be obsolete with the launch of Metro Blue Line 1, the route remains one of the most popular, with buses running packed throughout the day. The bus service continues to be well-patronised, even after Metro operations cease around 11 am.

Looking Ahead

With ongoing issues and demands for improvements, the future of BEST buses remains uncertain. While plans are in place to expand the fleet and improve services, it remains to be seen whether these efforts can meet the growing needs of Mumbai's commuters. The BEST undertaking is at a crucial juncture, and its ability to restore its services will be key to ensuring that Mumbai's public transport system remains viable and efficient for millions of residents.