Report by Kamgar Ekta Committee (KEC) correspondent
Activists of thirteen organisations came together under the banner of ‘Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST’ (Our Mumbai Our BEST) to demonstrate at Wadala in Mumbai on 4 July 2025 to save the city public transport service, BEST and raised the following demands:
- Roll back the recent fare hike,
- End the wet leasing of buses,
- Cancel the decision to monetise bus depots,
- Implementing the BMC chief’s February 2024 decision—allowing BEST to be subsidised and operated under the BMC Budget.
The organisations also demanded that the undertaking must maintain a minimum fleet of 6,000 buses to adequately serve the city’s commuters.
Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST said, “Public transport is a fundamental right for the citizens of this city. For decades, BEST bus services have been the lifeline of Mumbai, enabling working people to commute to jobs, schools, colleges, hospitals, and other destinations efficiently, safely, and affordably. That is why Mumbaikars once regarded BEST as their own. But now, under the guise of ‘cutting losses,’ BEST has invited private contractors, doubled fares, and reduced its fleet—deepening the crisis, with ordinary citizens bearing the brunt.”
it said, “Private contractors often compromise on safety and maintenance to boost profits. The result: more breakdowns, bus fires, and fatal accidents. Drivers are overworked, underpaid, and frequently untrained, putting passengers at risk. The experience of wet leasing has been negative for both commuters and workers. Fares have surged without delivering any tangible benefits. Service quality has deteriorated, especially in low-income areas. Long routes have been cut, leaving passengers stranded and forcing them to switch buses or transport modes—raising commute time and costs. The wet-lease model has imposed social costs—ranging from service breakdowns and accidents to increased wait times and falling ridership.”
The thirteen organisations which jointly demonstrated included Purogami Mahila Sanghatan, Lok Raj Sanghatana, Naujawan Bharat Sabha, Jan Haq Sangharsh Samiti, Nagari Niwara Vichar Manch, Humanist Centre, Habitat and Livelihood Welfare Association, Loktantrik Kamgar Union, Nivrut Kamgar Sanghatan, Mulbhut Adhikar Sangharsh Samiti, Fridays for Future Mumbai, Pudhe Chala and Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST.