Reckless drivers empty BEST coffers

MUMBAI: The carelessness of some BEST drivers is emptying the coffers of the undertaking. This year, the BEST forked out a huge compensation of Rs 26.5 lakh to a pedestrian who was crippled for life in 2010 when a BEST bus hit him in Chembur. Data provided by the BEST show that fatal accidents went up by 15% in 2012-13 (30 cases) as compared to the previous fiscal year. Between April and November this year, there have been 23 fatalities, while four more months' data are yet to be added.

The figures for 2011-12 showed that there was a drop of nearly 50% in fatal accident cases. But subsequently, the number of accidents shot up. The compensation amount also rose from Rs 1.8 lakh (paid to families of two victims of 2006) to Rs 38.89 lakh paid to 10 families for accidents in 2010.

Said former BEST committee member Ravi Raja, "What's the point in paying huge compensation when it is not a deterrent to the administration or bus drivers?"

He said earlier, there was a special vigilance squad keeping tabs on drivers incognito. "There were live checks and drivers involved in breaking traffic rules or overspeeding were issued memos. If required, they were taken off duty for counselling. But these days, there is cost cutting and the vigilance squads are not on the road any more. As a result, drivers are having a free run," he alleged.

Citizen activist G R Vora said bus drivers often drove recklessly, presuming they were the "kings" on the road. "Earlier, most drivers used to wait at the signal. But these days, we find almost every bus jumping the signal and ignoring the safety of pedestrians and fellow motorists. Often pedestrians are at the receiving end," he pointed out.

Sources said drivers were involved in various offences such as overspeeding, lane cutting and overtaking. Commuters have also complained of buses not halting properly at the scheduled stops.

Said BEST commuter rights activist Irfan Machiwala, "There is an incentive bonus for drivers to take the bus out of the depot on time and punctually return to the depot in the evening. For this bonus, drivers are always in a hurry and this is a key cause for mishaps. The BEST should stop giving such incentives which may cost human lives," he stated.

BEST spokesperson A S Tamboli said, "We have decided to scrutinize the records of all drivers. BEST will give incentives to drivers with zero accident records for a significant period of time."

It will deploy drivers who have zero accident record for two decades to train other drivers follow traffic rules. Another major step would be to deploy only drivers with five years experience to ply buses on busy routes. Officials said the BEST was also expediting installation of speed governors in all buses. "Paying huge compensation is a major embarrassment for the BEST," said Shiv Sena's committee member Sunil Ganacharya.

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