Mumbai's public transport network has taken another meaningful step towards inclusion with the appointment of Pooja Jadhav as the first woman driver under BEST's wet lease model. A resident of Mumbai, Jadhav's induction is being seen as both a personal triumph and a wider milestone for women seeking space in roles long dominated by men.
Training and Assessment
Jadhav, in her thirties, recently completed 21 days of training at BEST's Dindoshi driving centre, where officials said she displayed exceptional confidence and control. Her performance during the assessment reportedly stood out. 'We saw her driving and she was perfect,' a depot official said, underlining the confidence authorities have placed in her abilities.
Depot Assignment and Route Familiarisation
She has now been attached to the Vikhroli depot and will undergo a further week of depot-level training, followed by eight to 10 days of route familiarisation before she begins operating passenger services. Once on the road, Jadhav will drive an automatic electric air-conditioned bus, a symbol of BEST's ongoing transition towards cleaner, more modern and commuter-friendly transport.
Employment Through Wet Lease Model
Her appointment comes through third-party operator Evey Trans, which runs wet lease electric AC buses for BEST. Company officials described her induction as an important development in Mumbai's evolving transport ecosystem, where women are increasingly entering spaces once considered inaccessible. Jadhav will receive a gross monthly salary of Rs 30,000, with an in-hand amount of Rs 23,500, an official from the wet lease company said, adding that she was keen on completing training and driving on routes to ferry commuters. 'She is proud to be part of BEST, which is a lifeline for Mumbaikars,' one of her superiors said.
Broader Shift Within BEST
The development also adds to a broader shift within BEST. In May 2022, Laxmi Jadhav became the first woman to drive a BEST-owned bus in Mumbai, breaking a 96-year-old precedent. Since then, women have continued to strengthen their presence across the network, particularly as conductors on routes across the island city and suburbs.
Significance of the Appointment
Pooja Jadhav's appointment is significant not only because it marks a first under the wet lease model, but because it sends a strong message about changing opportunities in urban mobility. As BEST expands its electric fleet and modernises operations, her journey stands as an encouraging example of resilience, capability and progress. In a city that depends heavily on buses every day, her presence behind the wheel reflects a transport system slowly but steadily becoming more representative of the people it serves.
