Mumbai: Bus drivers and conductors employed by Mateshwari Company, a private contractor under the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking’s wet lease model, launched a flash strike at the Wadala depot on Tuesday morning.
The protest was driven by various unmet demands, leading to disruptions in services and reported damage to several buses attempting to depart from the depot, stated an official according to a report by Mid-Day.
Under BEST’s wet lease model, private operators handle bus maintenance and pay drivers' salaries. However, this model has faced challenges, with previous strikes impacting bus services. In January, contractual employees of another private operator went on a sudden strike at a Mumbai depot, partially affecting BEST operations.
BEST Undertaking In Crisis
The strike sheds light on the ongoing struggles of the BEST undertaking, which has been grappling with a severe crisis and steadily reducing its key bus routes due to a shrinking bus fleet. Once boasting nearly 3,600 self-owned buses operating around 500 routes, BEST now manages only 2,911 buses, of which just 1,000 are self-owned. The number of routes has also dwindled to between 300 and 350.
The situation worsened in October when a wet lease supplier withdrew 280 buses from service, further straining operations. As BEST increasingly relies on the wet lease model, disruptions like strikes and supply issues are becoming more frequent, raising concerns about the stability and reliability of Mumbai's public transportation system.
The ongoing crisis has highlighted the need for a robust and sustainable strategy to revitalise BEST's fleet and improve service consistency. Critics argue that excessive dependence on private contractors under the wet lease model may be contributing to the instability. Meanwhile, commuters continue to face challenges as reduced bus availability and route cuts affect daily travel.
As BEST navigates these challenges, ensuring fair treatment and addressing the grievances of contracted employees will be crucial to maintaining uninterrupted public transport services in Mumbai.
