23 April,2026 08:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. Aklekar
Drivers of electric buses will receive additional training to navigate congested routes better. FILE PIC/ASHISH RAJE
Following the incident of a parked electric bus rolling backwards in Bhandup that led to a near escape for an old lady earlier this week, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) has decided to extend the training of bus drivers by one more week, to four weeks.
BEST had earlier made refresher courses and skill-upgradation training mandatory for all drivers operating electric buses. The programme includes safe driving and handling of electric buses, braking behaviour, speed regulation, and overall road safety practices. Depot managers have been instructed to ensure full participation.
The decision comes amid growing concern over the handling of 12-metre-long electric buses, especially after two consecutive incidents in the Bhandup area. Officials believe that longer vehicles require greater skill and familiarity, particularly on narrow and sloping roads in the eastern suburbs and have moved ahead with a proposal to buy 500 midi (medium-sized) CNG-fueled AC buses.
An internal probe into Sunday's incident pointed to human error as the primary cause. The driver of Route No. 606 reportedly failed to engage the handbrake after parking the bus on an incline, causing it to roll backwards and crash into a roadside structure. Sources indicated that the driver had briefly stepped away in a hurry, leading to the lapse.
>>These smaller âmidi-buses' are seen as better suited for congested and hilly routes in areas such as Bhandup, Powai, Vikhroli, and Kanjurmarg.
>>Officials say manoeuvring 12-metre buses on Route Nos. 605 and 606 have proven challenging due to road width constraints and traffic density. The proposed midi-buses are expected to improve safety, ease of operation, and reliability in such conditions.
>>The plan also ties into improving last-mile connectivity to Mumbai's expanding Metro network. BEST estimates that over 300 additional midi-buses would be required to efficiently serve corridors along Metro Lines 1, 2A, 2B, 3, 7, and 9.
Funding remains a major hurdle. Each CNG bus is expected to cost between Rs 40 lakh-Rs 50 lakh, raising concerns regarding financial sustainability. With existing debt obligations and limited budgetary support, the administration is under pressure to finalise a viable funding model.
BEST has set a target of expanding its fleet to 5000 buses in the 2026-27 financial year, up from the current strength of around 2700. This depends on securing financial assistance and timely delivery from manufacturers. BEST has approached the Union government for the phased supply of 1500 electric buses.
