20 June,2026 07:53 AM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram Kavattur
Stranded commuters turn to private bus services as the BEST strike disrupts travel across the city. Pics/Shadab Khan
The second week of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority's (MMRDA) Public Transport Day initiative in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) was hit by the indefinite Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) strike on Friday, leaving many regular bus users scrambling for alternatives and exposing the business district's continued dependence on the city's bus network.
Commuters jostle to get into an auto-rickshaw amid transport disruptions caused by the BEST strike
Corporate employees, support staff, and daily commuters said they were forced to switch to cabs, autos, Metro services, and private buses at short notice, often paying significantly more than their usual travel costs.
Irfan Kashmiri, an auto-rickshaw operator in Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC),
âThough we expected a major difference in the number of trips, by early evening I had completed only a few more than usual. If I normally take 15 trips by this time, today I had taken 18. We expect shared autos to get more passengers because some single-trip autos are charging much higher fares.'
Praveen Ghadge
âI have taken at least four more rides than usual today, earning about R500 extra. Most of the passengers I picked up were panicking because they were late for work.'
âMy commute suddenly became costlier'
Arun Mathew, who works near BKC One, said he usually depends on BEST buses for his return journey. "In the morning, I didn't have an issue since I came with my coworkers as we often carpool, but I had to leave early today for a personal reason, and as I am a frequent BEST user, I now don't have the option of taking the public bus." Mathew eventually opted for a private bus service. "I looked into many options and then settled on taking a private bus service seat, but this is costly compared to BEST prices. For those who now have to take private buses, it is going to cost a lot more than usual."
âRs 200 for a 2-km ride'
A female commuter, who requested anonymity, alleged that some auto-rickshaw drivers were charging significantly higher fares. "I always take the Metro till BKC and then take a shared auto. But today when I got out of the Metro station and asked an auto driver, he said it would cost R200 for a 2-km ride. I had to wait almost half an hour to get a reasonably priced auto." She said that many colleagues reported facing similar issues.
âNobody knew what was happening'
An elderly janitor, from Santacruz said he spent nearly two hours waiting at a bus stop before learning about the strike. "I stood at the bus stop near my house for about two hours in the morning and was confused about what was happening. I reluctantly took an auto to work and feared I would be reprimanded for being late. Later, a co-worker told me about the BEST strike."
Even as the ongoing BEST strike disrupted travel for many commuters heading to Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) said its Friday Public Transport Day initiative continued to receive support from institutions, mobility partners and commuters. In an interaction with mid-day, Shankar Deshpande, Chief Investment & Planning Officer, MMRDA, spoke about contingency measures, stakeholder participation and the long-term vision behind the initiative.
Shankar Deshpande, Chief Investment & Planning Officer, MMRDA. Pic/Linkedin
Excerpts of the interview.
With the ongoing BEST strike affecting a large number of commuters, what special arrangements or measures has MMRDA put in place in BKC to manage commuter movement and reduce inconvenience?
The BKC Friday Public Transport Day initiative brings together multiple stakeholders working collectively to promote sustainable mobility in BKC. As part of the initiative, several organisations and institutions encouraged employees and visitors to use public transport and shared mobility options. Cityflo operated additional services, while institutions such as Bharat Diamond Bourse arranged transport for employees travelling from Bandra and Kurla stations. MMRDA employees and officials also participated by commuting through the Metro, suburban rail network and other public transport modes. The objective is to encourage greater use of public transport and support sustainable commuting practices across BKC.
As the second edition of BKC's Friday Public Transport Day is being observed, how is MMRDA encouraging greater adoption of public transport and managing commuter demand?
From the outset, MMRDA has maintained that Friday Public Transport Day is a public movement for people who travel to BKC for work, business and other daily activities. While MMRDA initiated and coordinated the effort, the initiative belongs to all stakeholders and commuters who participate in it.
The first edition was led by MMRDA, while the second edition is being driven by WRI India, Cityflo and participating stakeholders in BKC. Future editions will see different stakeholders taking the lead, reinforcing the collaborative nature of the initiative.
Participation is entirely voluntary. The initiative aims to encourage people who regularly travel to BKC in private vehicles or company-provided cars to experience public transport, even if only once a week. The goal is to demonstrate how small changes in commuting habits can help reduce congestion, improve mobility, lower emissions and contribute to a more sustainable BKC.
Has MMRDA coordinated with other transport agencies to provide alternative arrangements during the strike? What has been the response from commuters so far?
The initiative has received an encouraging response from commuters, institutions, and mobility partners across BKC.
A particularly positive response came from the auto-rickshaw community, with a strong presence at key transit points such as Metro Line 3 stations and suburban railway stations, helping commuters complete their last-mile journeys.
The participation of auto-rickshaw drivers, institutions, employers, and transport stakeholders reflects Mumbai's spirit of collective participation and resilience. As a first-of-its-kind initiative for a business district in India, Friday Public Transport Day is gradually evolving into a people-led movement that promotes greater use of public transport and sustainable mobility choices.
