BEST orders stricter safety checks for wet lease buses, driver training after Dadar crash

Mumbai: BEST committee chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao on Monday called a meeting of all wet lease bus operators and senior BEST officials after the Dadar bus crash and issued strict directions to tighten safety practices and prevent similar incidents.“Merely imposing penalties after such crashes won’t work. We need to take strict action,” Vishwasrao said, underlining that accountability must be backed by daily compliance, not post-incident fines. The directives to wet lease operators focus on reinforcing safety checks, operational discipline and driver preparedness as the investigation into Monday’s mishap continues.According to sources, BEST has instructed all wet lease operators to deploy maintenance teams for pre-departure inspections of every electric and CNG bus before they leave the city’s 27 depots each morning. The inspections will cover mechanical and electrical systems, with operators expected to document checks and ensure buses with defects are immediately withheld from service.Vishwasrao also asked operators to expand and standardise driver training, including driving skills, safe handling of electric buses and automatic transmission vehicles, and sensitisation on road discipline and traffic rules. Officials said the emphasis is on ensuring uniform competence levels across contracted operations, especially as wet lease services have grown rapidly in recent years.Driver fatigue and workplace conditions were also raised as a key risk factor. Wet lease operators have been asked to provide adequate rest to drivers so they are not overworked, and to ensure wages are paid on time. At the meeting, suggestions were made to strengthen driver well-being measures so that drivers remain focused while operating buses in high-traffic, high-stress conditions.BEST has recently intensified checks on vehicle fitness and roadworthiness of wet lease buses. In a recent inspection drive, more than 400 buses were examined for mechanical and electrical issues, and 11 were taken off roads. While drivers of BEST-owned buses undergo robust in-house training, the corporation has expanded training interventions for wet lease drivers. BEST general manager Sonia Sethi has made a four-week mandatory training programme compulsory for wet lease drivers operating electric buses, replacing the earlier one-week module. Officials said training records are being verified and some drivers may be sent for refresher courses.Meanwhile, BEST panel member Nitin Nandgaonkar reiterated concerns over recurring faults in wet lease buses. He said he had petitioned BEST management with proofs related to at least 13 buses, citing steering lock issues, possible brake failures, worn brake liners, poor vehicle condition and inadequate maintenance leading to repeated breakdowns.