The BEST Bachao Samiti has escalated its campaign by seeking support from 36 MLAs across the city and suburban areas. The initiative is timed to coincide with BEST Day, commemorating the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport’s acquisition by the BMC on August 7, 1947.
Between August 7 and 10, the BEST Bachao Samiti will be presenting a detailed memorandum to each MLA, urging legislative backing to bolster the city’s bus services. This move aims to galvanise public representatives into action to preserve and potentially improve the operations of BEST (Bombay Electric Supply and Transport), which serves approximately 3.5 million passengers daily.
The crux of the campaign is a plea to expand the current bus fleet to 3,337 vehicles. The urgency stems from the looming reduction of the fleet due to the retirement of buses that have exceeded their 15-year operational life. “The situation is becoming critical,” noted a Union leader, citing that without a fleet expansion, BEST risks significant operational challenges. Shashank Rao, leader of the BEST Workers Union, underscored that the ‘Save BEST’ campaign addresses growing concerns about the future of public transportation in Mumbai.
Key issues include a dwindling number of BEST-owned buses and the increasing reliance on private contractors. Rao highlighted that if immediate action is not taken, the public transport service could face severe disruptions beyond December 2025, especially if the BMC fails to allocate adequate funds for new buses. The campaign also points to past disruptions involving private contractors, which accentuate the risks of relying on such services if they become economically unfeasible. This situation could severely affect the daily commute of thousands of Mumbaikars.
In addition to approaching legislators, the campaigners have sought the support of local Ganeshotsav mandals to raise awareness and rally public support for the cause. The involvement of these community organisations is seen as a crucial element in amplifying the campaign’s reach and impact.
