Starting July 1, 2025, Mumbai could face a major transport crisis as private bus operators have threatened an indefinite strike. The protest will impact all forms of private bus services including school buses, corporate shuttles, aggregator platforms like Uber, and long-distance intrastate buses.
Grievances Behind the Strike Call
According to Murad Naik of the Mumbai Bus Malak Sanghatana, the strike is a result of long-standing grievances being ignored. Key concerns include the forced implementation of e-challans, lack of proper infrastructure support, and continued departmental hurdles that affect the viability and efficiency of bus operations.
Unified Protest by Passenger Transport Groups
The ‘Key Down’ protest has received unanimous support across different transport sectors. Whether it is schoolchildren, daily officegoers using corporate shuttles, or citizens depending on intercity travel, everyone is expected to feel the impact. The coalition includes school transporters, employee transport services, app-based operators like Cityflo and Uber, and regional bus operators.
Potential Citywide Impact
If the strike proceeds as planned, commuters in Mumbai will have to brace for heavy disruption. Parents may have to look for alternative arrangements for school drop-offs, while offices could see a dip in attendance as employee shuttles come to a halt. Intercity travel might also be affected, especially during peak monsoon travel.
What Happens Next?
The bus operators have clearly stated that if the government fails to intervene and address their issues by June 30, the strike will begin on July 1 without rollback. As of now, no official response from the authorities has been made public.
In Conclusion
The looming strike by private bus operators is a strong signal of deep-rooted operational challenges within Mumbai’s transport ecosystem. It also serves as a wake-up call for authorities to resolve these issues before lakhs of citizens are left stranded in a city already struggling with traffic and monsoon-related disruptions.
