Thirteen city-based associations in Mumbai gathered at Wadala on Friday, uniting in a bid to save the BEST undertaking and pressing for a four-point demand. These include rolling back the recent fare hike, cancelling the decision to monetise depots, ending the wet leasing of buses, and implementing the BMC chief’s February 2024 decision—allowing BEST to be subsidised and operated under the BMC Budget. The groups stressed that the undertaking must maintain a minimum fleet of 6,000 buses to adequately serve the city's commuters.

The thirteen associations include Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST, Fridays For Future Mumbai, Habitat and Livelihood Welfare Association, Humanist Centre Jan Haq Sangharsh Samiti, Lokraj Sanghatana, Loktantrik Kamgar Union, Mulbhut Adhikar Sangharsh Samiti, Nagari Niwara Vichar Manch, Naujawan Bharat Sabha, Nivrut Kamgar Sanghatan, Pudhe Chala, and Purogami Mahila Sanghatana.

“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,” said a note from Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST.