BEST bus services on routes operated from Mumbai’s Kurla and Shivaji Nagar depots were marginally affected after wet-lease bus drivers staged a flash protest over wage-related issues on Friday. BEST deployed its full-time drivers to keep buses running and limit inconvenience to commuters.
According to BEST officials, the disruption remained limited, although some delays were reported during the protest. Services continued on most routes connected to the two depots, while the undertaking began discussions with the contractor concerned to resolve the wage dispute.
A BEST spokesperson said talks were underway and that the issue was being sorted out. The undertaking did not indicate that the protest had led to a widespread suspension of bus operations across Mumbai.
Wet-lease drivers are employed through private contractors that operate buses for BEST. In this case, the absence of protesting wet-lease staff required BEST to use its full-time drivers on affected services. The move was intended to maintain operations while discussions with the contractor continued.
BEST said it was closely monitoring the situation and working to ensure that normal services were restored. Officials expressed confidence that the dispute would be resolved shortly and that the protesting drivers would return to duty.
The incident affected routes originating from Kurla and Shivaji Nagar depots, but the available information did not indicate the cancellation of most services. Commuters using these routes experienced delays while the undertaking arranged replacement driving staff.
The protest adds a wage-related disruption to the operational pressures faced by a city bus system that depends on both BEST employees and contracted personnel to maintain daily services. In the immediate term, the undertaking’s response has been to rely on its full-time drivers while negotiations with the contractor remain in progress.
BEST said discussions with the contractor were continuing and that it would keep monitoring bus operations until the issue was resolved and wet-lease drivers resumed duty.
