BEST Faces Crisis as 180 Buses To Retire In 6-8 Months

Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) is facing major issues since it has seen a steady decline in recent years. In the next six to eight months, 180 of BEST’s CNG buses will complete their 15-year codal life. Hence, these buses will have to be retired. 

As per reports, the number of buses in the fleet is not growing fast enough to fill the gap. Out of the 2,670 buses in the fleet, BEST owns only 430. Of the 430 buses BEST owns, 180 run on CNG and are close to retirement. The rest of the owned fleet includes six electric buses and 244 diesel buses, which will continue to run.

The remaining buses are hired from private contractors under wet lease agreements. These contractors are responsible for owning, operating, and maintaining the buses. Now, BEST plans to only lease electric buses going forward. 

As per sources, BEST will receive at least five new electric buses from PMI Electro Mobility in the next two weeks. BEST had asked the company to supply 50 buses after conducting meetings and sending reminder letters to bus makers. PMI Electro Mobility is expected to provide 250 AC electric buses to BEST. Another company.

Olectra Greentech from Hyderabad, has been asked to speed up delivery of its buses. Olectra is supposed to supply 2,100 electric buses. As per reports, the company delivered 102 buses in June and July. Since January 2025, Olectra has delivered 370 buses. The company says its target is to deliver 100 buses each month.

Meanwhile, Switch Mobility from Chennai may face a ban. The company had stopped supplying double-decker AC electric buses since December 2023. During this time, BEST’s double-decker e-bus count has stayed at 50. Switch Mobility was expected to supply 200 buses by now. 

As these issues grow, citizen groups and bus passenger associations have planned protests. They are opposing BEST’s privatisation, fare hikes, and the monetisation of depot land. Sources suggest that Aamchi BEST (AMAB), a citizens’ group focused on public transport, will hold protests on August 7. The protest will take place at all 27 BEST depots to mark the anniversary of the service.