Mumbai BEST Bus Strike Withdrawn, Services Still Below Normal: Report

Bus operations run by Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking remained below normal on Monday, a day after employees withdrew their strike, with only 57 per cent of the scheduled fleet deployed by 8 am, reports say. Passengers across the city reported extended waiting times at bus stops, prompting many to shift to suburban trains, Metro services and other transport options to complete their journeys.

The disruption follows a three-day indefinite strike that began on Friday and was called off late Sunday night after discussions between employee unions and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, according to news agency PTI.

BEST, which operates 2,766 buses and serves roughly 25 lakh commuters daily, is the city’s second-largest public transport provider after the suburban railway network.

Data released by the undertaking showed that 1,436 buses were in service on Monday against a planned deployment of 2,527. This included 165 of the 188 buses owned by BEST and 1,271 of the 2,339 wet-leased vehicles.

Staff attendance also remained lower than required levels. A total of 835 drivers reported for duty against a requirement of 1,454, while 1,325 conductors were present compared to a scheduled strength of 2,198.

The BEST Sanyukt Kamgar Kruti Samiti ended the agitation following negotiations with the state government. Shortly after the meeting, action committee coordinator Sachin Ahir confirmed that the strike had been withdrawn and services would resume.

Under the agreement reached with the government, BEST employees will receive an interim monthly pay increase of ₹3,000, while employees working with wet lease operators will get ₹2,000 per month until a revised wage settlement is finalised, Shinde said on Sunday.