BEST wet lease bus staff protest at Azad Maidan, demanding equal pay and benefits | Representational image
Mumbai: Thousands of contract bus drivers and conductors working on wet lease buses under the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking staged a protest on Tuesday, demanding equal pay and benefits comparable to those of permanent BEST employees. The strike led to severe disruptions in public transport, leaving lakhs of daily commuters stranded.
Commuters Faced Inconvenience
BEST buses serve around 30 to 32 lakh passengers daily, but due to the strike, many buses remained off the roads. The frequency of bus services dropped significantly, with buses arriving at 30 to 45-minute intervals instead of the usual 10 to 15 minutes. Frustrated passengers were seen arguing with conductors, particularly those who had already purchased tickets but were unable to board buses due to long delays.
Office-goers, students, and small traders were among those most affected by the disruption. Many were forced to rely on taxis, app-based cabs, or even walk long distances to reach their destinations.
Crowd at CSMT railway station due to BEST bus services disruption | Photo Credits: Alok Dubey FPJ
Demands of the Protesters
The contract workers, employed by private companies that operate BEST’s wet lease buses, have long complained about financial exploitation. Their primary demands include ‘equal pay for equal work,’ ensuring their salaries match those of permanent BEST employees, timely and adequate salary payments, and better workplace amenities, particularly for female employees.
Protest at Azad Maidan
The agitation, organized by the Sangharsh Kamgar Karmachari Union, took place at Azad Maidan, with hundreds of contract workers from various private operators, including Mateshwari Urban Transport Solutions, Daga Group, and BVG India, participating. While many workers attended the protest after completing their shifts, others took leave to voice their demands.
Union leaders stated that their demonstration was peaceful, but reports emerged of buses being vandalized in Mulund, Wadala, and other depots. BEST officials confirmed that three buses were damaged, with windows shattered during the protest.
Strike Causes Bus Shortages
The strike had a significant impact on bus operations. Of the 1,969 wet lease buses scheduled for service on Tuesday, only 1,391 were operational, while 578 buses remained off the roads. The worst-hit contractor was Mateshwari Urban Transport Solutions, with 282 of its 590 buses remaining idle. Tata Motors also struggled, running only 181 out of its 340 scheduled buses. However, Olectra Greentech managed to operate all of its buses as planned.
A delegation of union representatives met with Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, who assured them that a meeting with all private contractors would be organized to address their concerns. The union has stated that it will monitor the administration’s response and take further action if necessary.
