Overview

• On July 4, over a dozen civic associations led by Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST rallied at the Wadala Bus Depot to oppose recent reforms
• They called for rolling back the May 9 fare increase, ending wet leasing of buses, halting depot land sales and securing BEST subsidies under the BMC budget
• Campaigners warned that higher fares, service cuts and maintenance failures have driven daily ridership down from nearly 30 lakh to around 20–23 lakh
• Protesters alleged that plans to redevelop depots involve selling valuable public land to private real estate developers
• BEST officials reiterated a long-term plan to expand the fleet, electrify buses by 2027 and streamline route operations