Investigations into the tragic electric bus accident in Mumbai’s Kurla area that claimed seven lives and left 42 injured have revealed potential human error and insufficient training as contributing factors, according to Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials.
The incident occurred on Monday night when an electric bus operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking collided with pedestrians and vehicles before crashing into a housing society compound wall. The driver, Sanjay More (54), was arrested following the accident.
Initial Investigations
An RTO team led by motor vehicle inspector Bharat Jadhav inspected the Olectra-manufactured bus and determined that its brakes and other systems, including headlights, were functioning properly. Despite initial speculations of brake failure, the inspection indicated no mechanical issues with the bus, which was just three months old.
Deputy RTO Pallavi Kothawade and other officials personally visited the site due to the severity of the accident. While the RTO has completed its initial probe, it awaits a detailed report from Olectra’s engineers.
Lack of Training Highlighted
The RTO officials suspect that the driver, inexperienced in handling automatic transmission buses, may not have been adequately trained. Unlike conventional buses with manual transmission, the 12-meter-long electric bus lacks a clutch and gear system, requiring drivers to adapt to a different driving mechanism.
“If a driver doesn’t have experience driving an automatic transmission bus, it affects their judgment of acceleration and braking. Human error, combined with insufficient training, seems to have caused the accident,” an RTO official said.
BEST General Manager Anil Diggikar stated that More had received three days of induction training, whereas More’s family claimed he underwent 9 to 10 days of training. The discrepancy raises questions about the adequacy of the training provided.
Sequence of Events
According to RTO findings, the bus covered a distance of 400 to 450 meters after hitting the first vehicle, crashing into several objects before halting. CCTV footage inside the bus revealed that the entire incident unfolded in just 52 to 55 seconds.
Officials suspect the driver may have panicked after the initial collision, unintentionally accelerating and losing control. The bus was traveling from Kurla Station West to Sakinaka when the tragedy occurred.
Driver’s Background
BEST records indicate that More had been driving mini Tempo Traveller buses since 2020 but lacked experience with larger electric buses. The bus was supplied by a Pune-based third-party agency, and More had only been operating the electric bus since December 1, 2024.
Contradictory Statements
The BEST administration and the driver’s family have presented conflicting accounts regarding the training provided. While BEST claims it provided adequate training, experts and retired RTO officials emphasized the need for extended practice due to the differences between automatic and manual transmission buses.
Next Steps
The RTO is set to submit its report to the Mumbai police and plans to conduct further investigations to understand the root cause of the accident. Details about the driver’s license and additional training records are still awaited.
As the investigation unfolds, the tragedy underscores the importance of thorough training and stringent safety protocols for drivers operating advanced vehicles like electric buses.
Sources By Agencies
