Archive · 10 Jan 2026
Mumbai's BEST buses face safety, political challenges
Mumbai's BEST buses, which many people rely on every day, are facing big problems.
The city used to have mostly public buses, but now most are run by private companies.
This has led to more accidents, especially with buses from one company called Olectra.
Politicians promised to fix these issues before, but not much has changed.
Now, as elections approach, different parties are making new promises about improving bus services.
Some want to stop using private buses, while others want more electric buses and lower fares.
The main concern is making sure all buses are safe and well-maintained.
BEST now owns only 308 buses, with 2,340 operated by private contractors
Private buses account for 88% of the total fleet, with 95% of AC buses privately run
Between 2023-2025, BEST buses were involved in 958 accidents, with 582 involving private buses in 2025 alone
Two major accidents in December 2024 and 2025 involved private electric buses, causing multiple deaths
Political parties are making new promises for the 2026 BMC elections, including stopping private contracts and expanding electric bus fleets
- Who
- Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking and private contractors
- What
- Shift to private buses and rising accident rates
- When
- 2023-2025, with key incidents in December 2024 and 2025
- Where
- Mumbai, India
- Why
- BEST's shrinking fleet and increased reliance on private operators
- BEST-owned buses (2025)
- 308 (25 AC, 283 non-AC)
- Private wet-lease buses (2025)
- 2,340
- Total BEST fleet (2025)
- 2,648
- BEST accidents (2023-2025)
- 958 (77 deaths, 217 injuries)
- Private bus accidents (2025)
- 582 out of 606