Just five days after mid-day shed light on the daily struggles of loyal Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus commuters, residents of Marve, Aksa, and Madh are finally seeing relief. The Malad BEST depot has begun deploying full-size, 12-metre ACGL-class buses on routes serving these areas since last week, a move welcomed by daily travellers, who had long complained of overcrowding and reduced services.
The development comes after consistent appeals from commuter voices, including bus enthusiast Rupak Dhakate, who highlighted the hardships of passengers forced to depend on smaller buses and irregular schedules, with autos and other means of transport gaining traction.
Bus fans Aavesh Mukadam, Shubham Padave and Gandharva Purohit at a bus event. Pic/By Special Arrangement
Dhakate said, “I would like to thank both mid-day and the BEST for giving attention to the struggles of everyday travel for residents of Marve, Aksa, and Madh. Within five days of the mid-day article, the Malad bus depot started receiving full-size 12-metre ACGL buses. Happy days are here again for Marve-Aksa-Madh residents.” The decision marks a rare example of commuter feedback directly influencing transport policy. Regular riders say the reinstatement of full-size buses will ease congestion, reduce wait times, and restore confidence in BEST as Mumbai’s most reliable and affordable travel option.
Locals said the move will help shift passengers back to buses from auto-rickshaws and private vehicles, easing pressure on the city’s roads. For many residents of the western coastal belt, where train connectivity is limited, BEST buses remain the only lifeline. “BEST should continue prioritising full-capacity buses on key routes like 269, 271 and 272, ensuring long-term relief for the thousands who depend on them daily,” he added.
Bus enthusiast Rupak Dhakate expresses gratitude for the change effected by mid-day’s report
mid-day had highlighted in an article on October 6 how, as Mumbai’s BEST bus fleet dwindles and routes shorten, diehard commuters, the city’s ‘bus bhakts’ had been facing long waits, crowding, and uncertainty, giving the example of Marve, Aksa and Madh residents as a case study.
