Archive · 23 Jul 2026
BEST Cracks Down on Bus Drivers Using Phones
In Mumbai, the BEST Undertaking caught 23 bus drivers using their phones while driving in just 18 days.
This happened after a bad accident on June 12 where a bus crashed, killing one person and hurting six others.
Now, BEST is checking buses more carefully to make sure drivers follow the rules.
Drivers who use their phones get fined, and if they do it again, the fine is bigger.
If they do it three times, the bus company might get in trouble.
BEST is doing this to keep passengers safe.
23 wet-lease bus drivers caught using mobile phones in 18 days.
Fines of Rs 1,000 for first offense, double for repeat offenders.
Third offense could result in a chargesheet for the operator.
BEST deploying plain-clothes officers to monitor driver behavior.
Crackdown follows a fatal bus crash in Dadar on June 12.
Surprise inspections continue across all 27 depots.
Aim is to improve road safety and compliance with driving norms.
- Who
- Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking
- What
- Crackdown on wet-lease bus drivers using mobile phones while driving
- When
- Between June 12 and June 30
- Where
- Mumbai, India
- Why
- To improve road safety and ensure stricter compliance with driving norms
Safety Advocates
Wet-Lease Operators
Penalties for Violations
Safety Advocates
Support stricter penalties to deter unsafe driving practices.
Wet-Lease Operators
Argue that penalties are too harsh and impact livelihoods.
- Organization
- Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking
- Violations Detected
- 23 drivers using mobile phones in 18 days
- Penalty for First Offense
- Rs 1,000 fine
- Penalty for Repeat Offenses
- Double the penalty
- Potential Third Offense Consequence
- Chargesheet issued to the operator
- Date of Fatal Accident
- June 12
- Location of Fatal Accident
- Dadar, near Plaza Cinema
- Casualties in Fatal Accident
- 1 killed, 6 injured