Congress Releases Action Plan To Revive BEST

Titled ‘BEST Resurgence: 9-Point Action Plan’, the manifesto was launched by Congress leaders Sachin Sawant and Mumbai Pradesh Congress Committee president and MP Varsha Gaikwad under the title ‘Mission BEST Bachao’. The manifesto promises expansion of the bus fleet, restart of long-distance routes, improved passenger safety, an end to privatization and improved welfare measures for workers.

The manifesto states that bus fares should not be increased without a public hearing and the recommendation of an independent committee.

Promising to stop the privatization of BEST, the Congress promised to immediately stop all wet leases and private contracts and to bring operations, maintenance and personnel completely under the control of BEST within three years. He also called for a CAG-approved independent audit to examine falling revenues, rising costs and what he called ‘sudden performance improvements’ of private contractors.

The manifesto also commits to repairing long-distance and intercity routes discontinued after 2017 and introducing new east-west and inter-port routes based on passenger surveys.

Opposing sale or commercial development of BEST warehouse land, Congress said all warehouses should be reserved strictly for transportation-related use and past land deals should be audited. On passenger safety, a public portal detailing breakdowns, fires and complaints promised daily inspections of contracted buses during the transition phase and regular fire safety checks of electric buses.

Congress leaders said the plan was based on extensive studies, study reports and public complaints and accused the ruling Mahayuti alliance of mismanaging BEST, leading to financial losses and deterioration of services.