The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) was once hailed as the country's top transportation service. Now, its fleet of iconic red buses has been continuously depleting over the past decade.
As on September 2023, the fleet has shrunk to a record low. The transport body has a total of 2,996 buses, including those on wet lease.
The decline in numbers has led to overcrowded buses during peak hours and longer waits at bus stops. Despite this, many buses are operating beyond their capacity.
In 2019, BEST committed to maintaining its own fleet of 3,337 buses as per an agreement with unions. Since then, the number has dropped to 1321. This is a 60% drop in 4 years. The rest of the buses, 1675, are covered under wet leasing agreements.
According to reports, the delivery of new contractual buses has been delayed. Additionally, the old buses are being phased out gradually once they reach the end of their lives. This involves scrapping approximately 150 buses every three months.
In February 2023, the fleet decreased significantly when 280 wet-lease minibuses were taken off the road due to unpaid driver wages and a lack of maintenance.
Here is a look at the yearly fleet statistics:
2024: 4720 (target)
2023: 2996 (current)
2022: 3619
2021: 3267
2020: 3200
2019: 3337
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