Solving the real problem within BEST’S mess

paid little attention to the second-largest transport system in Mumbai.

For quite some time, transport experts have been suggesting a number of solutions: using smaller buses, plying AC buses on certain routes, electronic boards on stops to show bus timings, new methods of payment and most importantly, restructuring the BEST’S routes considering how the city and commuting within it have changed over the past 20 years. Workplaces are coming up in central Mumbai as well as in the suburbs. In the coming years, there will be further changes in commuting patterns with five to six new Metro routes becoming operational. The BEST needs to understand this and restructure its routes, experts say. It can function better as a feeder service and its routes can be planned in consultation with Metro and suburban-train authorities. The state and city authorities also need to appoint transport experts on the BEST committee which makes its policy decisions. HT reported last week that the committee meeting had to be cancelled because most members did not bother to attend it and discuss the strike.

The BEST’S labour unions have been pointing out that employee wages have been really low. There has been uncertainty due to decisions such as wet-leasing of buses (hiring private buses with drivers). The civic and state authorities will need to take them into confidence to ensure that employees are onboard for the revival plan.

Significantly, the state has good officers to handle the revival. Civic chief Ajoy Mehta is credited with reviving of the state electricity board which was in bad shape. The BEST general manager Surendrakumar Bagade has worked out a revival plan. What seems to be lacking is the political will to back them. The ongoing strike actually provides an opportunity for both chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray to fast-track the BEST’S revival.

That will save it from coming up with just temporary solutions to pacify the workers. With each passing day, the delay is pushing its commuters away and sinking the iconic bus service further.