The current unfortunate mishap in Kurla, which asserted 12 lives and left 42 harmed, has actually brought the safety and security of travelling by means of BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) buses under sharp analysis. Over the almost last 33 month, BEST buses, consisting of both had and rented cars, have actually been associated with 247 crashes, with rented buses in charge of most of deadly cases. Out of 247, 62 were casualty.
Between April 2022 and December 10, 2024, 62 casualties were reported, of which 40 included rented buses and 22 were triggered by BEST-owned cars. The disconcerting fad has actually increased major concerns regarding the safety and security criteria of damp lease buses, which are run under agreements with personal service providers.
Leased Buses Under Fire
Leased buses made up an out of proportion variety of crashes, consisting of 20 deadly cases in simply around 8 months of 2024. Passengers and staff members have actually articulated expanding issues regarding the integrity and safety and security of these cars. Reports of buses igniting, damaging down mid-journey, and encountering electrical battery breakdowns have actually even more worn down public count on.
In 2024 alone (as much as December 10th), damp lease buses videotaped 48 major and 11 small crashes, contrasted to 21 major and 2 small crashes entailing BEST-owned buses. Since 2019, BEST has actually boosted its dependence on rented buses, a relocation that has actually run the gauntlet because of climbing issues and safety and security gaps.
Electric Buses Under Scrutin y
Electric buses, hailed as a lasting remedy for city transportation, have actually additionally come under analysis. This fiscal year alone has actually seen 12 casualties entailing electrical buses, consisting of 2 cases by Olectra Greentech, 8 by EV-Trans, and 2 byTata Motors These crashes highlight journalism demand for far better safety and security systems in electrical bus procedures.
Employee Concerns and Accountability
BEST presently uses over 7,200 long-term chauffeurs and 7,400 conductors, along with 6,563 contract-based chauffeurs and 2,340 contract-based conductors working with rented buses. Employees have actually supposedly dealt with dangers of discontinuation for elevating issues regarding rented buses, dissuading them from reporting problems. However, travelers remain to reveal frustration with the safety and security and integrity of the solution.
To run its fleet, BEST has actually involved 6 service providers handling a total amount of 1,900 damp buses. These consists of 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 business and 50 buses of Switch Mobility business. Apart from 1900 damp lease buses, BEST has actually 1013 had buses.
