Thane: Commuter Protests After BEST Bus Fails to Stop, Blocks Road, Causing Traffic Jam on Ghodbunder Road
Thane, 13th March 2025: A commuter staged a protest by sitting on the road in front of a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus after it failed to stop at a designated bus stop. The incident, which took place on Wednesday, gained attention when an Instagram user shared a video of the protest. The demonstration led to significant traffic congestion on Ghodbunder Road.
The protest involved bus C-61, which operates between Mulund depot and Mira Road. The video, uploaded by Instagram user @its_swap3, captures the resulting traffic jam and shows the protester being assisted onto the bus by the person recording.
Ghodbunder Road serves as a crucial link between Mira Road, Bhayander, and Borivali, with both BEST and TMT buses operating alongside private transport services. However, fluctuations in bus frequency sometimes cause inconvenience to passengers.
In a related development, BEST has introduced an E-bus driver training program in Dindoshi, Malad, following a recent accident in Kurla. This initiative marks a crucial step in the adaptation to electric buses, more than seven years after BEST introduced them into its fleet.
According to an official report released on Sunday, the training program aims to equip drivers with the necessary skills to handle electric buses efficiently. The decision follows a tragic incident on December 9, when a 12-meter electric bus lost control on SG Barve Marg in Kurla West, resulting in nine fatalities, multiple injuries, and damage to over 20 vehicles.
