Mumbai Wet Hire Buses Linked To Double Accidental Deaths Of Best Buses | News from Mumbai

Mumbai: In the last five years, Best has scrapped 2,160 buses while acquiring only 37. Till August this year, the number of Best Owned Buses It fell to 1,061 and has since declined further to 1,021. During this period, Best’s fleet declined steadily, with contracts for new buses being awarded mainly to wet hire operators. Activists say these operator factors have been linked to the highest number of accidental deaths.
Data obtained by TOI reveals over the past three years, accidents involving wet-hire drivers accounted for 40 deaths—almost double the 22 deaths involving top-owned buses. The total fleet has fallen below the 3,000 mark, which now stands at 2,911 buses, with 1,890 on wet lease and only 1,021 owned directly by Best. “The lack of buses has led to growing frustration among commuters,” said RTI activist Jeetendra Ghadge, who obtained fleet statistics. Viral videos show long queues at bus stops, with overcrowded buses arriving or, worse, not arriving at all.
“We have seen numerous cases of reckless driving in Mumbai over the last four years, especially following the introduction of contract buses. A driver carries a huge responsibility, as more than 60 passengers are usually on board a crowded bus. The public expects safely and with careful driving skills,” said ship’s rights activist Rupesh Shelatkar of AAPLI Best AaplyachSathi. “While full-time drivers receive comprehensive training from the best, contract drivers do not have rigorous instruction.”
Ship rights activist Irfan Machiwala of Mahim said that bus drivers should be made to undergo regular refresher courses: “Many are not afraid of the law. Punishment should be strict for skin driving”.
A bus driver said the contract drivers are unhappy that their demands for pay rise and facilities at par with full-time bus drivers have not been met and this could affect their work.
A driver said that contract drivers are poorly paid and are not given facilities on par with the best hired drivers. Activists, unions and former members of the BEST panel are unanimous in their demand that BEST run its own buses, maintaining a fleet of 3,337 under a 2019 MoU. BEST fleet ownership has fallen by 70% in six years, said Union leader Shashank Rao.
Former top panel member Sunil Ganacharya said, “It would be catastrophic if top depends entirely on wet-hire buses and contract drivers.”