A Mumbai civic organisation has called for concrete measures to revive the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, citing concerns over the decline in its self-owned bus fleet, growing dependence on contracted vehicles, staff shortages and expanding contracting across the public transport system.
Mumbai | September 10, 2026 — The organisation, ‘Aapli BEST Aaplyach Sathi’, said BEST, a key part of the city’s public transport network, was facing questions about its future as its operations increasingly rely on private contractors. It demanded that the undertaking’s revival be addressed through specific measures rather than through a continued expansion of outsourced services.
According to the organisation, the number of buses owned directly by BEST has been declining while the use of contracted buses has increased. It also raised concerns about shortages in the undertaking’s workforce and the growing role of contracting in areas including buses, personnel and ticketing systems.
The organisation alleged that BEST was gradually becoming more dependent on a contractual model instead of being strengthened as a public transport undertaking. It questioned whether the expansion of contracting could eventually take BEST towards complete privatisation.
The group also said that the adoption of electric buses should not be used as a reason to reduce BEST’s self-owned fleet. While accepting the need for environmentally cleaner transport, it called for a review of the extent to which electric buses are being brought into the system through contracts rather than direct ownership by the undertaking.
BEST’s fleet structure has direct implications for how the city’s bus services are planned, operated and managed. The organisation’s statement links the ownership question with broader concerns over workforce availability, ticketing operations and the ability of the public undertaking to retain control over its services.
The demand comes as Mumbai’s transport system continues to rely on BEST as one of its public bus networks. The organisation said strengthening the undertaking would require attention not only to the number and type of buses, but also to staffing, operational control and the financial conditions affecting its ability to run services.
‘Aapli BEST Aaplyach Sathi’ has sought concrete action to secure BEST’s future and has asked that the city reconsider the direction of its contracting policy. The statement did not include details of a specific government decision, funding package or implementation timetable. No response from BEST or the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation was included in the report.
