Mumbai News: BEST's Private Operators Strike Continues For Fifth Day, 704 Buses Remain Off Roads

Mumbai News: The strike by drivers of private bus operators hired by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) enterprise continued on fifth day on Sunday over wage raise and other demands. According to them (WHOM) officials, quoted by news agency PTI, 704 wet-leased buses from private operators stayed off the roads. A BEST official claimed that buses from the state-owned Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) were put into service to minimise any disturbance to commuters.

According to the official, bus operations were disrupted at 18 depots. The BEST provides buses from 27 depots located across the city. The BEST was making the best use of its own drivers, operating 398 wet leased buses with its own drivers. The official stated that action is being taken against the bus operators in accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreements with them. Private bus drivers went on strike on Wednesday in protest of a wage increase and other demands.

The protesting drivers allege they have not received a significant compensation increase in the previous three years and are struggling to meet family expenditures. They also stated that their pay is significantly lower than that of BEST employees. On the first day of the uproar, just 160 wet leased buses were off the road, but by the second day, the number had risen to more than 1,000, and by Friday, it had risen to more than 1,300 leading to major problems for daily commuters