Mumbai: BEST Strike Over Bonus Exposes Public Transport Cracks

On Sunday, BEST employees at the Magathane depot in Borivali staged a sudden strike over the delayed disbursement of their annual Diwali bonus, bringing citywide attention to the issue. The strike quickly escalated as employees voiced frustrations over the lack of communication regarding the bonus payments traditionally given since 1970-71. Following intense negotiations between union leaders and the BEST administration at their Colaba headquarters, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was forced to step in and approve an allocation of ₹75-80 crore to cover the bonuses.

As a result, each of the 26,000 BEST employees will now receive a bonus of ₹29,000, providing much-needed relief and assurance to the staff. However, due to the ongoing election code of conduct, BEST officials will first seek formal permission from the Election Commission before transferring the bonus amounts into employees’ bank accounts. BEST Union leader Shashank Rao emphasised that this move was essential, and that the situation could have been handled proactively to avoid service disruptions.

Widespread operational disruptions across Mumbai amid protests

As per various media reports, the strike severely disrupted Mumbai’s public transportation as BEST services halted at the Magathane depot and saw reduced operations at several others. On Bhai Dooj, which was celebrated on November 3, commuters in the city’s western suburbs, particularly around Borivali, faced extended delays and service gaps, causing major inconvenience for the 33 lakh Mumbaikars who rely on BEST buses daily. Passengers, especially office-goers and tourists, were left stranded or experienced prolonged waits at bus stops.

While BEST employees gained the support of some commuters who sympathised with their demand for timely bonuses, others voiced concerns over the timing of the strike. The disruption also triggered debate over the BMC’s management of the BEST Undertaking, as the unrest coincided with upcoming state assembly elections, giving rise to political scrutiny over the handling of BEST’s finances and fleet management.

Ongoing fleet shortages exacerbate challenges for BEST

Beyond employee unrest, the BEST administration is grappling with a severe fleet crisis, with bus numbers falling to below 3,000. As per a report of Times of India, the existing fleet shortage was worsened by delays in bus deliveries from contractors, who were previously supposed to deliver new vehicles as part of fleet expansion plans. Additionally, as per Mid-day, around 280 mini-buses were pulled from operation in October due to disputes with contractors, further straining service capacity and leaving commuters with fewer options.

BEST General Manager Anil Diggikar, while speaking to the TOI, acknowledged the challenges and organised an urgent meeting to address the workforce demands and fleet gaps. Following the strike, Diggikar provided that he was able to secure BMC’s approval of ₹80 crore to cover the Diwali bonus, assuring employees of timely payouts. However, Diggikar warned contractors of penalties if the delivery of new buses is not expedited. He confirmed that BEST expects the arrival of 80 electric air-conditioned (AC) buses by month-end and around 160 more by year-end, to increase the fleet’s capacity and meet peak-hour demand in busy routes. BEST has also planned to introduce open-deck double-decker tourist buses along popular routes like Marine Drive and the Fort area to cater to high weekend demand.

Bombay High Court ruling favours contractor in wet lease dispute with BEST

Amid fleet shortages, BEST’s operational capacity took another hit following a legal ruling that forced it to relinquish control of 250 mini-buses owned by contractor Hansa City Bus Services. The contractor, which had been operating buses for BEST under a wet lease agreement, terminated its contract in early October over unpaid dues amounting to ₹90 crore. The dispute escalated when Hansa City demanded the return of 250 AC buses but was initially prevented by BEST’s security personnel. BEST argued that the buses were critical for daily services, while Hansa cited high maintenance costs, increased fuel expenses, and additional overheads as factors in their decision to end the contract.

On November 2, the Bombay High Court ruled in favour of Hansa City, allowing the company to reclaim the buses parked at BEST depots. The court also appointed an arbitrator to settle outstanding issues between the parties. The ruling further reduced BEST’s fleet by 9% and exacerbated service gaps across the city. Nonetheless, the court ordered BEST to issue a show-cause notice if they wished to blacklist the contractor, underscoring the need for due process.

Calls for public ownership and investments in Mumbai’s bus fleet

The challenges facing BEST have sparked public debate over the future of Mumbai’s iconic bus service. Although daily ridership remains high at 33 lakhs as per the TOI, the fleet is far from adequate to meet the demands of a city nearing 20 million residents. TOI report provide that experts recommend a fleet size of 10,000 buses, but with only about 1,000 BEST-owned buses and close to 2,000 leased buses, the service is struggling to keep up. Transport advocates argue that the reliance on leased buses has led to a decline in service quality, citing frequent breakdowns, battery issues in electric buses, and untrained contract drivers as ongoing concerns.

Public groups, including the Aamchi Mumbai, Aamchi BEST forum, have voiced their opposition to privatisation efforts, demanding a full fleet of BEST-owned buses. They argue that BEST should operate as a “public-owned enterprise” to ensure affordability, reliability, and efficiency for all citizens. Activists like Vidyadhar Date and the Mumbai Mobility Forum have called on the BMC to immediately allocate funds for the purchase of 3,000 additional buses, emphasising that such investments are critical to maintaining the socio-economic backbone of the city.

The TOI report further provides that commuter advocates also highlight the affordability BEST offers, with minimum fares starting at just ₹5 for a 5-kilometer ride. They point out that daily commuters collectively save over ₹3 crore by choosing BEST, underlining the need for continued government support to maintain and expand the service. BEST General Manager Diggikar echoed these concerns, stressing the urgency of expanding the fleet to reduce waiting times, particularly during peak hours. He assured that BEST was pursuing all possible measures to reduce commuter inconvenience, with an anticipated delivery of 80 new buses by the end of the month.

A turning point for Mumbai’s public transport system?

With growing public support for BEST employees’ rights and mounting frustrations among commuters, the current challenges highlight the critical role of public investment in urban transit. As union leaders, officials, and commuter advocates call for structural reforms, the need for a reliable, publicly-owned BEST fleet has never been clearer. By addressing the immediate issues of fleet expansion, employee satisfaction, and commuter convenience, BEST can restore confidence in its role as an essential public service in Mumbai. Activists and citizens alike hope that the administration will prioritise investment in the city’s “second lifeline,” ensuring that BEST can meet the evolving needs of this city.