Scores of commuters in Mumbai faced inconvenience on Friday morning as over 170 mini buses operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) remained off roads in the city following a flash strike by a section of drivers over salary issue, an official said. The BEST tried to reduce the passengers' woes by diverting buses in the affected areas, he said.

"Agitated over non-payment of salary, the employees of BEST's private contractor firm - MP Group - refused to operate the buses and as a result, 175 mini buses from Vikhroli, Wadala and Bandra depots did not ply," the BEST official said. BEST undertaking provides bus services in Mumbai and it is the second biggest mode of public transport in the city after the suburban local trains. Presently, it ferries over 30 lakh commuters with its fleet of around 3,500 buses, including those hired from different private contractors.