BEST bus strike in Mumbai today: Check timing, affected services and areas

Mumbai commuters may face disruption in public transport as BEST employees have started an indefinite strike from Friday after talks between unions and the administration failed to resolve their demands. The protest by the BEST Sanyukt Kamgar Kruti Samiti, an action committee representing 12 employee unions, could impact bus services used by around 23 lakh daily passengers and may also affect electricity-related services managed by BEST.

Also Read: Mumbai BEST employees announce indefinite strike: Why they're protesting and how it could disrupt your travel

The strike comes on the same day as MMRDA’s Public Transport Day event at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), where BEST has planned additional buses to manage commuter movement. BEST officials said the industrial court has restricted staff and wet-lease contractual workers from joining the strike through an interim order, but union leaders said they would continue with their protest.

BEST Bus Strike Timing: When will services be affected?

The BEST strike was called from Friday, with unions announcing an indefinite protest. The action began after midnight as employees from transport and electricity divisions were asked to participate in the agitation.

Commuters travelling during morning and evening peak hours are expected to be the most affected if bus operations are reduced. BEST has not announced a complete shutdown of all services, and the impact will depend on employee participation.

Mumbai BEST Srike Today Update: Which BEST bus services and areas may be affected?

The strike may affect BEST bus routes across Mumbai, including services connecting residential areas, railway stations and major business hubs.

Areas that could see an impact include:

• Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC)
• Kurla
• Bandra
• South Mumbai areas
• Central and eastern suburbs
• Routes dependent on BEST buses for last-mile connectivity

BEST officials are monitoring operations and have prepared additional arrangements for BKC commuters.

BEST Strike Today: Extra buses planned for BKC commuters

To avoid disruption around BKC, BEST plans to increase bus services on three important routes.

Four additional buses will operate on route No. 310 between Kurla Station (West) and Bandra Railway Terminus.

Another four buses will be added on route No. BKC-2 connecting Kurla Station (West) and Swavalamban Bhavan.

Four more buses will operate on route No. BKC-3 between Bandra Bus Station (East) and the CA Institute in BKC.

Apart from regular services, 104 buses under the app-based ‘Chalo Premium’ service will also run in the BKC area on Friday.

Why are BEST employees protesting?

The unions have raised several demands, including the merger of the BEST budget with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) budget, permanent jobs for contractual drivers, better salaries and benefits, adding 5,000 BEST-owned buses and clearing pending dues of retired employees.

Union leaders have also raised concerns over delayed salaries, pending arrears, welfare facilities and working conditions. They have opposed what they describe as increasing privatisation of BEST services.

Uday Ambonkar, general secretary of BEST Karmachari Sena, said the recently approved Rs 500-crore allocation from BMC was welcome but not enough to solve the financial issues.

BEST Workers’ Union will not join strike

The largest union, BEST Workers’ Union, has decided to stay away from the protest.

Union leader Shashank Rao said discussions with BEST management are still underway. “Negotiations are on with the BEST management, which is why we will not participate. We have asked drivers to ply buses unless there is a law-and-order problem,” said Rao.

BEST issues warning to employees

BEST general manager Sonia Sethi said the undertaking has issued a circular under the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act, warning employees that participation in the strike could lead to action under the law.

Shiv Sena (UBT) union leader Nitin Nandgaonkar said, “Court has asked BEST management to speak with us and resolve issues, but it hasn’t called us for talks. And so we went ahead with strike,” he said.

Current BEST bus availability in BKC

BEST currently operates 176 trips using 125 buses across 16 routes serving the BKC area.

Officials said the number of trips is expected to increase to nearly 200 with 137 buses on Friday to provide more options for commuters travelling to the business district.

Passengers have been advised to check live bus updates before travelling and keep alternative transport options ready if delays increase during the strike.