Mumbai: Office-goers across Mumbai bore the brunt of a sudden BEST bus strike on Friday morning, with thousands left stranded during peak hours as buses stayed off the roads. They may face a similar situation on Saturday morning.
Unexpected Strike Causes Chaos
The shutdown, called by lesser-known unions rather than the largest workers’ body, caught many commuters off guard and proved remarkably effective in disrupting the city’s transport backbone, said a commuter rights activist.
With BEST services unavailable, commuters scrambled to find alternative options. Metro corridors witnessed a sharp surge in ridership, while suburban trains bore additional pressure. Private bus operators attempted to fill the gap, though their reach remained limited. Autorickshaws and kaali-peeli taxis were in short supply, with several commuters reporting refusals. App-based cab services such as Ola and Uber saw steep surge pricing, further adding to the difficulty.
Andheri Station: A Scene of Desperation
At Andheri station, usually bustling with buses, the depot appeared deserted. Long queues formed for autorickshaws, and many office-goers were forced to walk along the busy Andheri-Kurla Road. A private bus arriving at the station triggered a rush among commuters desperate for a ride. “We were not aware of the strike before leaving home. This is so frustrating, running after private buses to get to the destination,” a commuter said. “The strike is uncalled for as it inconveniences office-goers who depend on BEST buses on feeder routes. I travel by route 441 or 339 from Majas depot to Andheri station. I switched to an auto, which was usually not easy to find,” said Shubham Padave, adding that people were pooling rides in autos to the station.
Commuters Rethink Travel Plans
The disruption forced many to rethink daily travel plans. Thane resident Amar Patil altered his usual Central Railway commute by switching to the Western line at Dadar and walking from Churchgate to his office. “It took more planning than usual. The train was crowded, and I had to walk a considerable distance, but it was still more reliable,” he said.
Others turned to the city’s expanding Metro network despite higher costs. Rohit Sharma from Ghatkopar replaced his daily BEST bus ride with Metro travel, while Nitin Desai changed to a combination of Metro routes to reach SEEPZ. “It was more expensive but predictable,” Desai noted.
Carpooling and Private Buses
Carpooling also emerged as an alternative, with commuters coordinating rides with colleagues. However, many said this option was not sustainable daily. In south Mumbai, bus stops near CSMT, Metro Cinema and Colaba remained largely empty, as commuters opted for trains, Metro services or cabs instead.
There were also reports of private buses charging inflated fares, compounding commuter woes. Across the city, the strike underscored the indispensable role BEST buses play in ensuring affordable and reliable last-mile connectivity.
(Inputs from Mayur Shetty, Srimoyee Palit and Vaibhavi Kumari)
