Congress Releases Action Plan To Revive BEST

Titled ‘BEST Revival: 9-Point Action Plan,’ the manifesto was launched under the banner ‘Mission BEST Bachao’ by Congress leaders Sachin Sawant and Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee president and MP Varsha Gaikwad. The manifesto promises expansion of the bus fleet, resumption of long-distance routes, enhanced passenger safety, an end to privatisation and improved welfare measures for workers.

The manifesto states that bus fares should not be increased without a public hearing and a recommendation from an independent committee.

Promising to halt privatization of BEST, the Congress has pledged to immediately halt all wet-lease and private contracts and bring operations, maintenance and staffing completely under BEST’s control within three years. It has also called for a CAG-approved independent audit to examine falling revenues, rising costs and what it termed ‘sudden performance improvements’ by private contractors.

The manifesto also commits to restoring long-distance and cross-city routes discontinued after 2017 and introducing new east-west and cross-harbour routes based on passenger surveys.

Opposing the sale or commercial development of BEST depot land, the Congress said all depots should be reserved strictly for transport-related use and that past land deals must be audited. On passenger safety, it has promised a public portal detailing breakdowns, fires and complaints, daily inspections of contract buses during the transition phase, and regular fire safety checks of electric buses.

Congress leaders said the plan was based on extensive research, study reports and public grievances, and accused the ruling Mahayuti alliance of mismanaging BEST, resulting in financial losses and deteriorating services.