Cash-strapped undertaking’s fleet is shrinking, increasing its dependence on contractors
Bbus commuters at Sion Circle on September 23, 2020. File pic/Atul Kamble
- Three months on, the issue of the BEST bus fleet remains unaddressed
- On June 16, 2023, the BEST had sent a proposal to the municipal commissioner
- Recently Mumbai witnessed a strike of contractors` staff
The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking is unlikely to receive funds to buy buses this year, but the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will allocate money for this purpose over the next few years.
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Three months on, the issue of the BEST bus fleet, which is decreasing day by day, remains unaddressed. On June 16, 2023, the BEST had sent a proposal to the municipal commissioner to provide financial assistance for the purchase of new buses. But the BMC has not taken any decision yet and if new buses are not added, the entire burden will be on contract buses.
“We are not sure about any funding to the BEST this year, but there is a provision of allocation of funds to the undertaking over the next few years,” civic administrator Iqbal Singh Chahal told mid-day on Wednesday.
mid-day reported on July 29, that BEST has demanded funds from the BMC to procure new buses for its own fleet. If the latter doesn't approve the request, the undertaking will have to rely entirely on contractors soon.
Recently Mumbai witnessed a strike of contractors' staff. Currently, there are 1,487 BEST buses while 1,680 are owned by contractors.
BEST General Manager Vijay Singhal had written to the BMC for financial aid of Rs 3,419.44 crore to procure 2,237 buses for its own fleet.
According to a source, BEST scrapped 1,696 old buses by March 2023 and will have to scrap another 541 buses by March 2024.
Union Leader Shashank Rao demanded that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar should look into the matter and approve funds for BEST. As per a June 11, 2019 agreement between BEST and its workers’ union, the undertaking must maintain a fleet of 3,337 buses.
Transport expert A V Shenoy said, “There is a need for BEST to maintain its own fleet as the city witnessed a strike of contractual staff. Also, there is the issue of maintenance of buses owned by contractors.”
“The BEST transport department is running in losses. They should get funds to maintain their fleet and provide services to the citizens. Chief Minister Shinde should look into this,” he added.
Rs 3,419.44cr
Amount sought by BEST
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