The recruitment and appointment process of wet lease bus drivers for the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has come under scrutiny following the Kurla bus accident involving driver Sanjay More, 54. According to sources, More was employed by Pune-based Morya Trans India Pvt Ltd, a subcontractor of Evey Trans, the supplier of the bus on a wet lease contract with BEST. Earlier More was driving mini buses supplied by different contractor on wet lease to the BEST.
While no prior major incidents were recorded during More’s tenure, according to sources, officials are examining whether existing recruitment and training measures are adequate to prevent accident.
Recruitment and Training Process
Sanjay More joined the Dindoshi training center on November 25, 2024, for a three-day training program. After completing the training, and getting approval from BEST , he officially began working for Morya Trans on November 29, 2024. Over his 11-day tenure (November 29 to December 9) ad a electric bus driver, no prior incidents were reported.
An official revealed that Morya Trans provides drivers for buses supplied by Evey Trans under a wet lease arrangement through a subcontract awarded by Evey Trans.
#WATCH | Kurla BEST Bus Accident: CCTV From Inside Vehicle Shows Moments Before Incident@m_journalist #Mumbai #KurlaBusAccident #mumbainews #BESTBus #BESTBusCrash pic.twitter.com/e9bVISFfEc
— Free Press Journal (@fpjindia) December 11, 2024
When asked about the recruitment process, the official stated that the hiring process for wet lease drivers mirrors BEST’s guidelines, requiring a minimum of two years’ driving experience, a valid transport badge, a clean accident-free record, and a character certificate.
The official also clarified that Morya Trans cannot directly induct drivers into service without obtaining approval from BEST. “Once a driver is recruited, their appointment must be sent to BEST for approval. After completing training, BEST generates a unique code for each new driver, enabling their induction into active service” he said.
Multiple Vendors Supplying Drivers
It was also disclosed that Morya Trans is one of several vendors providing driving staff for wet lease bus operators contracted by BEST, including companies like Switch Mobility and Mateshwari group .These vendors follow the same recruitment criteria mandated by BEST.
