Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has invited bids to induct 200 non-air-conditioned MIDI CNG buses under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC), or wet lease, model, to strengthen last-mile connectivity and feeder services to Mumbai Metro corridors despite continued opposition from employee unions and commuter activists.The tender requires an earnest money deposit (EMD) of Rs 29 crore and guarantees 4,500 km of monthly operation per bus over a 10-year contract. Bids will close on August 24, while a pre-bid meeting has been scheduled for Aug 6. Technical and financial bids will be opened on Aug 27 and 28, respectively.The successful bidder must present a prototype bus within 60 days of receiving the Letter of Acceptance (LoA), deliver the first 50 buses within 120 days, another 50 within 150 days and the remaining fleet within 180 days. The prototype will form part of the 200-bus fleet, while the operator must also provide two additional buses free of cost for driver training.Under the GCC model, private operators procure, own, maintain and operate the buses while providing drivers and conductors. BEST retains control over routes, schedules, fares and passenger services and pays operators on a per-kilometre basis.The move comes despite persistent criticism from employee unions and transport activists, who argue that the growing dependence on privately operated buses has affected service quality and contributed to an increase in accidents.BEST’s fleet currently comprises 2,829 buses, of which only 249 are owned by the undertaking, with the remaining vehicles operating under the GCC model. Of the 249 owned buses, 42 are MIDI buses, comprising 36 diesel and six electric vehicles. The undertaking also operates 640 GCC-operated MIDI buses, including around 600 air-conditioned CNG buses and 20 each of air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned electric buses.Officials said at least 315 additional MIDI buses will be required to strengthen feeder connectivity to Mumbai Metro corridors. The smaller buses are considered better suited for feeder services as they can negotiate narrow internal roads, steep gradients and congested neighbourhoods.BEST has earmarked parking spaces for the fleet at Vikhroli, Marol, Malad and Wadala depots, with 50 buses to be stationed at each location. All services will originate and terminate from these depots, eliminating dead kilometres and improving operational efficiency.The successful operator will also be responsible for creating maintenance infrastructure, deploying trained drivers and conductors, complying with statutory and labour regulations, and ensuring the buses remain roadworthy throughout the contract.
