Mumbai : In a united stand against the alleged erosion of Mumbai’s public bus services, over 20 civil society groups will stage simultaneous protests across 20 BEST depots on Thursday, August 7, observed annually as BEST Divas.
Spearheaded by the city-based campaign ‘Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST’, the demonstrations aim to oppose the growing privatization of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus fleet, fare hikes, and contentious plans to monetize depot lands.
The coalition of 23 organizations — including trade unions, student bodies, women’s groups, and environmental activists — has raised alarms over the declining number of BEST-owned buses. Of the current 2,594-bus fleet, only 437 are BEST-owned, while the rest are operated by private contractors under wet-lease agreements.
“This is a calculated push towards privatization,” a spokesperson from Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST said. “Service quality has dropped, safety is compromised, and public accountability is vanishing.”
Public anger has also intensified after a fare hike in May 2025, which reportedly led to a drop in ridership, especially among the working class, students, and the elderly. Protestors have further criticized BEST and BMC’s plans to lease or sell depot lands to private developers, calling it a threat to the city’s long-term public transport future.
Protests are scheduled from 3 PM to 5 PM at key depots citywide, where demonstrators will submit a charter of demands urging BEST to expand its owned fleet, end outsourcing to private contractors, stop depot land sales, and roll back fare hikes.
In Borivali, local actions will begin with an awareness campaign near the police station from 10 AM, followed by memorandum submissions at Gorai Depot at 11:30 AM and Magathane Depot at 12:30 PM.
“This movement is not just about buses,” said one organizer. “It’s about safeguarding Mumbai’s public infrastructure and ensuring the city’s transport remains in public hands.”
