BEST Electric Bus Delivery Slashed, Mumbai Fleet Expansion Delayed
In a significant setback for Mumbai's public transport system, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking will receive only 685 electric buses this year, drastically below the initially promised 1,300. This revelation was made by Madhuri Misal, the Minister of State for Transport, during a session in the legislative council on Monday.
Contractor Delays Hamper Bus Procurement
Minister Misal explained that BEST had issued work orders to various contractors for the supply of 6,555 buses to meet the city's growing transportation needs. However, contractors have failed to deliver these buses on schedule, severely hampering efforts to expand bus services. "Considering Mumbai's population and passenger requirements, the city needs at least 10,000 buses," Misal stated, highlighting the critical gap in current infrastructure.
Fleet Numbers Decline Under Scrapping Policy
The situation is exacerbated by BEST's bus scrapping policy, which mandates the retirement of buses every 15 years. As a result, the number of buses owned by BEST has plummeted from 1,882 to a mere 249. Currently, the fleet relies heavily on leased buses, with 2,558 such vehicles in operation. This reliance on leasing has drawn criticism, particularly regarding the wet-lease model adopted by BEST.
Government Announcement and Funding Challenges
In December 2024, during the winter session, the state government announced that 1,300 electric buses would be added to the BEST fleet "soon." This announcement was made amid widespread criticism of the wet-lease model. Sources indicate that BEST was allocated Rs 498 crore from the 15th Finance Commission specifically for procuring these electric buses, but delivery delays have stalled these plans.
Political Pressure and Safety Concerns
The issue was raised in the legislative council by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Sunil Shinde, who demanded that BEST consider purchasing CNG buses instead. Shinde cited rising accident rates involving electric vehicles as a primary concern, urging a shift to safer alternatives. This political pressure underscores the broader challenges facing Mumbai's public transport system, including safety, efficiency, and timely expansion.
The reduction in electric bus deliveries not only delays Mumbai's transition to greener transportation but also impacts daily commuters relying on BEST services. With contractor inefficiencies and policy hurdles, achieving the targeted fleet expansion remains a daunting task for city authorities.
