In the wake of the tragic Kurla bus accident, which claimed seven lives and left nearly 50 others injured, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has introduced a comprehensive set of new safety measures aimed at improving the operational safety of its fleet and ensuring passenger well-being. The safety overhaul follows increased scrutiny of BEST’s safety protocols, particularly in the wake of human error being identified as the likely cause of the crash.
Among the key measures being implemented, drivers will now be required to undergo breathalyzer tests both before and after their shifts. This step aims to curb incidents of alcohol consumption by drivers during working hours, a problem highlighted by a series of alarming videos showing drivers purchasing alcohol while on duty in locations like Bandra East and Mulund. In addition to alcohol checks, BEST has introduced simulator-based training as part of a dual training program, particularly to help drivers handle the city’s fleet of automatic electric buses more effectively. This will involve two stages of training initially, drivers will be trained by contractors at depots using new buses, followed by more advanced sessions at BEST’s Dindoshi training centre.
As part of the training expansion, BEST will also purchase two electric AC buses with automated transmissions specifically for training purposes. BEST’s new initiative is a direct response to rising concerns about bus driver safety and the troubling increase in accidents involving wet-lease buses, which are buses contracted from private firms. In the past three years, wet-lease buses have been involved in 247 accidents, compared to a declining number of accidents from BEST-owned buses. The differences in safety records have raised alarms, especially following the fatal accident in Kurla, where brake failure was ruled out and human error was identified as the primary cause.
In light of these ongoing challenges, unions representing BEST drivers have voiced concerns about the impact of privatisation on safety standards. They have called for improvements in driver pay and benefits to help retain experienced drivers, arguing that fair compensation will attract more skilled personnel and ultimately improve safety across the network. As BEST embarks on these measures to enhance safety protocols, the focus remains on reducing human error and ensuring that the causes behind tragic incidents like the Kurla crash are not repeated. With the new training initiatives and alcohol-testing protocols, BEST is taking significant steps towards restoring public confidence in the safety of its bus services.
