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Although BEST has signed contracts for 2,100 electric buses, along with 2,400 more from a private contractor, most of them are yet to arrive.
With this move, 80% of the full-sized buses owned by BEST will be phased out. (Photo: Knocksense)
Mumbai’s lifeline, the BEST bus service, is heading towards a major fleet crunch. This month alone, around 170 full-sized buses under the JNNURM scheme and several midi buses are set to be scrapped.
As a result, BEST’s total fleet may drop to under 2,700 buses. According to TOI, this move will see 80 percent of the full-sized buses owned by BEST taken off the road. By September or October, nearly all of them will be phased out — leaving behind just one full-sized bus owned by BEST, which will continue for two more years.
Where BEST Stands Now
- Total buses: Around 2,800
- Owned by BEST: 750
- On wet lease from private contractors: Rest of the fleet
Upcoming additions:
- 2,100 e-buses (ordered)
- 2,400 e-buses (from a private contractor)
- 250 e-buses (contract signed last year, yet to arrive)
Activists Demand Faster Arrival of New Electric Buses
Commuter rights groups are sounding the alarm. They are urging BEST to speed up the delivery of new electric air-conditioned buses to fill the growing gap.
“Right now, the supply is too slow. This will affect the fleet badly by the end of the month,” said a transport activist, as per TOI.
Citizens Want BEST-Owned Buses, Not Leased Ones
At a recent public hearing by the group Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST, citizens complained about poor bus frequency and shortage. Many said they preferred buses owned by BEST instead of those run by private contractors.
Regular commuter and bus enthusiast, Shubham Padave, recalled pre-Covid days when waiting times were 10–20 minutes. “Now, it’s gone up to 30–40 minutes, which is very worrying. Mumbai runs on punctuality. If buses are late, they’re of no use to us,” he said.
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