19 June,2026 12:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Stone-pelting forces buses back to depots in Mumbai (File pic)
The ongoing BEST workers' strike on Friday continued to disrupt public transport across Mumbai, with operational buses being halted at Ghatkopar.
As reported, several BEST buses were also left remaining idle at the Mulund depot, causing significant inconvenience to commuters during the morning rush hour.
The disruption affected bus services in several parts of the city, leaving passengers stranded at bus stops and forcing many to seek alternative modes of transport.
The strike added to traffic congestion as commuters turned to local trains, auto-rickshaws, taxis, and app-based cab services to reach their destinations.
At Ghatkopar, operational BEST buses were stopped amid the agitation by striking workers, impacting scheduled services and delaying travel for thousands of daily passengers.
Meanwhile, buses remained parked at the Mulund depot, further reducing the fleet available for public transport.
Despite efforts to maintain operations, the strike has led to uncertainty over bus availability across multiple routes. Authorities are monitoring the situation and working to minimise disruptions while ensuring the safety of commuters and transport staff.
As the ongoing BEST bus strike across Mumbai continues to disrupt public transport, the School Bus Owners' Association has offered to deploy its fleet to help reduce the burden on stranded commuters.
Speaking to Mid-Day, association president Anil Garg said that school bus operators are prepared to supplement public transport services during peak hours if the Maharashtra government formally seeks their assistance.
Garg said, "If the government wants, we are ready to provide school buses during peak hours. We can help ease the impact of the BEST strike."
The offer comes as thousands of commuters grapple with suspended bus services across the city that ultimately made the suburban trains overcrowded and long queues at bus stops.
Major railway stations and transport hubs during the morning rush hour on Friday witnessed heavy footfall as passengers scrambled for alternative modes of travel.
The offer comes as BEST services remain severely affected by the strike. According to official figures, only 38 buses were able to leave depots on Friday, but six had to return after incidents of stone-pelting and other disruptions, leaving just 32 buses operating across the city. Under normal circumstances, the BEST undertaking runs around 2,776 buses daily, highlighting the scale of the disruption.
