In 48 hours, Mumbai BEST bus service will resume: Minister

MUMBAI: The affected BEST bus services will be restored in the next 24 to 48 hours, Mumbai guardian minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said on Monday even as citizens continued to face hardships on the sixth day of the strike by drivers of buses wet-leased by the city civic transport utility.

People struggled to board overcrowded buses at many bus stops. The frequency of bus transport remained affected, especially in the suburbs.

Lodha said 2,651 buses out of 3,052 in the BEST fleet are put into service, along with 180 buses from the state transport (ST) corporation and more than 200 school buses to ensure that people are not inconvenienced.

Notably, 796 of the more than 1,600 buses wet-leased by Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking remained off roads on Monday.

Drivers of private bus operators who are on strike are demanding salary hikes and pay parity with BEST employees.

“The state government is not apathetic about this issue. It is the government’s policy to ensure that citizens do not suffer, and at the same time, ensure justice for the contract employees as well. We are trying accordingly. BEST will soon be able to serve Mumbaikars in full capacity. The affected BEST bus service will be restored in the next 24 to 48 hours,” Lodha told a press conference here.

Maharashtra Transport Secretary Parag Jain and BEST General Manager Vijay Singhal were also present.

The minister said BEST operates a fleet of 3,052 buses and owns 1,381 of them, while the remaining 1, 671 buses are hired from private contractors.

“To avoid inconvenience to citizens due to the agitation in BEST, the government has put 2,651 out of 3,052 buses in the BEST fleet into service. 180 buses have been made available in coordination with the State Transport (ST) Corporation, along with more than 200 school buses for the convenience of citizens,” he said.