Mumbai: BEST Committee member and corporator Pravina Morajkar has raised serious concerns over the conduct of a Wet Lease bus driver following an incident in the Nehru Nagar area on the night of July 27, calling for stronger behavioural training and accountability among contract bus operators. According to Morajkar, the incident occurred at around 9.30 pm when she was crossing the road. She claimed that she signalled the approaching bus driver to slow down, but the driver continued at the same speed and drove the bus forward, causing alarm and concern for pedestrian safety.“The bus passed by me and stopped at a nearby signal. I approached the driver and told him that he should have reduced the speed while approaching pedestrians,” Morajkar said. However, she alleged that the driver responded rudely, stating that the bus speed would not be reduced and challenged her to “do whatever you want” before driving away.The driver was later identified as a Wet Lease bus operator. Morajkar expressed disappointment over what she described as the driver’s lack of remorse and said the incident highlighted the need for regular behavioural and safety training for drivers operating public transport vehicles.Reacting to the matter, BEST Committee Chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao said the episode underscored broader concerns regarding the Wet Lease model. “This is why we need to gradually reduce dependence on Wet Lease operations and eventually have our own buses and drivers,” she said.Vishwasrao further stated that a detailed probe into the incident would be conducted and appropriate action would be taken against the driver if found guilty. BEST officials reiterated that passenger and pedestrian safety remains a top priority and that any misconduct by drivers will be dealt with seriously.
