The recent tragic accident in Kurla, which claimed 12 lives and left 42 injured, has brought the safety of commuting via BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) buses under sharp scrutiny. Over the nearly last 33 month, BEST buses, including both owned and leased vehicles, have been involved in 247 accidents, with leased buses responsible for the majority of fatal incidents. Out of 247, 62 were fatal accident.
Between April 2022 and December 10, 2024, 62 fatal accidents were reported, of which 40 involved leased buses and 22 were caused by BEST-owned vehicles. The alarming trend has raised serious questions about the safety standards of wet lease buses, which are operated under contracts with private contractors.
Leased Buses Under Fire
Leased buses accounted for a disproportionate number of accidents, including 20 fatal incidents in just around eight months of 2024. Passengers and employees have voiced growing concerns about the reliability and safety of these vehicles. Reports of buses catching fire, breaking down mid-journey, and facing electric battery malfunctions have further eroded public trust.
In 2024 alone (up to December 10th) , wet lease buses recorded 48 serious and 11 minor accidents, compared to 21 serious and two minor accidents involving BEST-owned buses. Since 2019, BEST has increased its reliance on leased buses, a move that has faced criticism due to rising complaints and safety lapses.
Electric Buses Under Scrutiny
Electric buses, hailed as a sustainable solution for urban transport, have also come under scrutiny. This financial year alone has seen 12 fatal accidents involving electric buses, including two incidents by Olectra Greentech, eight by EV-Trans, and two by Tata Motors. These accidents highlight the pressing need for better safety mechanisms in electric bus operations.
Employee Concerns and Accountability
BEST currently employs over 7,200 permanent drivers and 7,400 conductors, alongside 6,563 contract-based drivers and 2,340 contract-based conductors working on leased buses. Employees have reportedly faced threats of termination for raising complaints about leased buses, discouraging them from reporting issues. However, commuters continue to express dissatisfaction with the safety and reliability of the service.
To operate its fleet, BEST has engaged six contractors managing a total of 1,900 wet buses. These includes 40 buses of Olectra Greentech, 275 buses of EV-Trans, 625 buses of Shree Maruti Travels, 340 buses of Tata Motors, 570 buses of Mateshwari Urban Transport company and 50 buses of Switch Mobility company. Apart from 1900 wet lease buses , BEST has 1013 owned buses.
