Over 1K private buses of BEST stay off roads in Mumbai as drivers' strike enters Day 2

August 03, 2023 21:25

More than 60 per cent of the total 1,671 private buses of the civic transport service BEST in Mumbai did not ply on Thursday on the second day of drivers' strike for salary hike and other demands.

As many as 1,009 of the 1,671 buses hired from private operators did not leave 12 depots of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking across the city, causing immense inconvenience to commuters.

The buses leased by BEST from the private firm SMT, also known as Daga Group, were the worst affected on the second day; 473 of its 579 buses remained off the roads.

In addition, 369 of 400 buses of Mateshwari, 155 of 340 buses of Tata Motors and 12 of 280 buses of Hansa stayed inside the depots.

The drivers of the buses of other private operators, namely Olectra, E-Trans and Switch Mobility, did not take part in the strike.

A BEST spokesperson said that it is trying to run as many of its own buses as possible.

The undertaking has directed the private operators to resolve the issue as early as possible, and necessary action was being taken against these companies as per the terms and conditions of the lease agreements, he added.

More than 2,000 drivers of private bus operators gathered at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai on Thursday afternoon as part of the protest.

On Wednesday, drivers of the Daga Group went on a flash strike at the Ghatkopar and Mulund depots over their demand of salary hike.

The strike intensified on Thursday as drivers of Mateshwari and Tata Motors also joined in. -- PTI

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