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Indian Express
a day ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Unused buses at Anik depot: BEST says contract terminated as firm flouted norms
As nearly 100 unused mini buses stay parked idle at the Anik depot in Mumbai for more than a year, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking on Tuesday said that the contractor who was running these buses did not adhere to contract terms, leading to its termination. In a statement, BEST said that the parked buses were owned by M P Enterprises, a private operating company that was awarded a contract in December 2019 to run 275 mini buses on a wet lease basis. BEST undertaking stated that throughout the duration of the contract, the operator was repeatedly served with notices for not adhering to contract terms. 'The contract was finally terminated in December 2022 due to failure to meet the requirements as per the prescribed norms,' the statement added. BEST gave several reasons for the cancellation including frequent bus breakdowns, operational irregularities, failure to meet the service level agreement and Provident Fund contribution defaults. The undertaking further added that the operator had ceased operating even prior to the formal cancellation of the contract. After the contract ended, the operator lodged a claim under the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) in April 2023. An Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) was appointed by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai, as part of the process. 'The buses stationed at Anik depot are under the IRP's control,' BEST said. BEST also informed that it has found out that the liquidator is now undertaking the auction of the buses and that the undertaking has already written to the liquidator seeking removal of the buses. 'It should be noted that these buses are not being moved as the matter is under the jurisdiction of the Interim Resolution Professional,' the statement added.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Coming soon, white paper on public transport in Mumbai
Mumbai: The Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA), functioning as a state govt advisor similar to NITI Aayog, is preparing to release a white paper addressing public transport buses, encompassing BEST and private bus aggregators in Mumbai. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The report will present recommendations to the state govt regarding the enhancement of BEST's financial status and operational efficiency in Mumbai, while improving services for passengers using premium aggregator buses such as Cityflo and inter-state buses. A meeting was convened by MITRA on Wednesday, with participation from CEO Pravin Pardeshi, BEST general manager SVR Srinivas, WRI India representatives, and various transport specialists and analysts. The discussions included proposals for BEST to utilise private school and corporate buses during their inactive periods for transporting passengers on shorter routes. This arrangement would provide additional income for private operators while helping BEST, whose fleet reached its lowest point in 15 years, to service feeder routes, particularly near railway and Metro stations with continuous passenger flow. Another proposal discussed at Wednesday's meeting involved developing space above BEST depots, allocating two floors for BEST offices whilst designating remaining floors for commercial use, ensuring steady revenue for the financially constrained organisation. This concept draws from Japanese cities where land resources generate supplementary income for public transport operations. A recent MITRA meeting also explored the possibility of allowing premium aggregator buses to park in designated areas within BEST depots. This arrangement would provide parking facilities for private operators to expand their fleet whilst generating revenue for BEST through substantial parking fees. The meeting suggested the development of underground and multi-deck parking facilities at BEST's 27 depots to increase capacity. All these will be part of the white paper being prepared in order to revive BEST, streamline private bus operations, and improve services for commuters for all categories of buses.
Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Automotive
- Indian Express
Mumbai: BEST revives iconic Route No. 1 as A1 AC service after year-long pause
After nearly a year off the road, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has reinstated its iconic Route No. 1 in a new avatar. Relaunched as A1, the route will operate air-conditioned buses between Electric House and Bandra Reclamation Bus Depot starting July 15. In a statement issued Monday, BEST said that the A1 service will run six departures in the morning and another six in the evening on all weekdays. The schedule has been designed to cater to peak-hour office travel. 'The earlier Route No. 1 was temporarily discontinued as part of BEST's ongoing route rationalisation exercise. The new A1 service is a restructured version, introduced to improve operational efficiency and commuter comfort,' said the BEST spokesperson. Route No. 1, once one of the city's oldest and most recognisable bus lines, was discontinued quietly in mid-2024. In its absence, the undertaking introduced Route 51 and other alternatives that covered portions of the same corridor. However, regular commuters complained that the replacements did not fully serve the needs of those travelling between Colaba and Bandra Reclamation. The original Route No. 1 holds a unique place in Mumbai's transport history. It was first introduced as Route A during the city's tram era and later renumbered when motor buses took over. In 1937, it became the first route to feature a double-decker bus, a Daimler-class vehicle that would go on to define Mumbai's visual transport identity for decades. For several years, Route 1 connected Colaba to Mahim and was later extended to Bandra Reclamation. It remained in regular operation even during the Covid-19 lockdowns when local trains were restricted to essential workers. A night variant, Route 1 Ltd, had also earned a niche following among late-night travellers and was affectionately dubbed as 'vampire route' by bus enthusiasts. The newly reintroduced A1 service will run air-conditioned buses only, with departure points at Electric House and Bandra Reclamation Bus Depot. Morning departures are scheduled for 8.00 am, 8.30 am, 9 am, 9.31 am, 10.05 am and 10.35 am. Evening services will run at 3.40 pm, 4.10 pm, 4.40 pm, 5.15 pm, 5.45 pm and 6.15 pm.
Deccan Herald
13-07-2025
- Automotive
- Deccan Herald
K'taka minister urges stronger govt-academia-industry ties
Karnataka Minister Sharan Prakash Patil on Friday called for a robust government-academia-industry partnership as the key to achieving the state's skill development and employment goals. Speaking at the first anniversary celebration of the Bajaj Engineering Skills Training (BEST) Centre at PES University, he emphasised the importance of collaborative efforts to bridge the skill gap and empower youth. "This collaboration between Bajaj Auto and PES University reflects public-private partnership at its best—where the strength of academia meets the precision of industry," the State Medical Education and Skill Development Minister was quoted as saying in an official statement. Patil stressed that empowering youth, especially from underserved regions of Karnataka, is not just heartening but also a strategic investment in the state's future. According to the official statement, the BEST Centre at PES University—a CSR initiative by Bajaj Auto Ltd—provides engineering students with advanced training in contemporary technologies such as mechatronics, motion control, robotics, Industry 4.O, and smart manufacturing. In its first year, the programme trained 320 engineering students, all of whom secured employment with competitive salaries. Plans are underway to double student intake in the coming years. Patil noted the success of the initiative, particularly its impact on students from the Kalyana and Kittur Karnataka regions, highlighting it as a model for uplifting youth from aspirational districts. "Sometimes, governments must learn from successful industry models. The training imparted here is a shining example of how we can align education with employability," he added.
Time of India
13-07-2025
- Time of India
BEST brings back Colaba to Bandra route for commuters on public demand
Mumbai: The BEST will bring back route number 1, Colaba to Bandra, which was stopped recently as part of a route rationalisation effort. While confirming that the route will be reintroduced on popular demand, BEST General Manager SVR Srinivas said on Sunday that it will be a single-decker electric AC bus. "We will start the service sometime this week," he stated. This route has been popular with commuters and was initially known for its double-deckers, later converted to a single-decker bus route. Commuters welcomed the decision but said that the BEST should introduce its AC double-deckers on this route. The BEST, however, has just 50 twin-deck buses, which are highly popular on CSMT-Nariman Point/Gateway/Cuffe Parade and Kurla-BKC-Bandra routes. "We will try to introduce a double-decker in the near future on this route," an official said. Route 1 is one of the oldest and most iconic bus routes in Mumbai. Operations commenced during the British era, and the route was labelled as Route A during the tram system days. Subsequently, the BEST numbered it as route number 1. "The route was initially from Colaba to Mahim and later extended to Bandra reclamation. The double-deckers stopped in the past, and it was a single-decker in recent years," said commuter rights activist Irfan Machiwala. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai A commuter, Afzal Mohammed, said that this route goes through the crowded areas of south Mumbai and caters to many commuters, making it a really good south-north connector.
