A senior Regional Transport Office (RTO) official stated on Wednesday that the Dadar bus crash, which resulted in one fatality and six injuries on Monday, appears to have been caused by 'driver error' based on preliminary findings. However, the official has instructed a thorough re-inspection of the bus to rule out any technical malfunctions, including issues with the accelerator, brakes, and handbrakes. The RTO has also initiated proceedings to suspend the driving license of Vikas Padave, the driver booked by police for the incident.
Technical Inspection Underway
Sources within the RTO confirmed that the bus brakes were found to be in 'working condition' during an initial inspection on Wednesday, but a more detailed examination is planned. Due to limited vehicle mobility and severed wires from the crash, engineers from the wet lease operator and BEST were called in to restart the bus. The RTO will conduct multiple rounds of inspections on various spare parts before submitting a final report to the city police. The investigation revealed that the driver had operated the e-bus for several rounds before the accident occurred.
BEST Issues Show Cause Notice
BEST has issued a show cause notice to the wet lease operator in connection with the fatal crash. The undertaking imposes penalties of up to Rs 50,000 for each fatal incident. Driver Vikas Padave has reportedly claimed that a technical malfunction caused him to lose control of the vehicle.
Proposal for Full-Time Technicians
BEST panel member Ajay Singh proposed on Wednesday the deployment of 125 full-time technicians from the undertaking to maintain all wet lease buses on a paid basis. This initiative aims to improve safety while generating significant revenue for BEST. Notably, all three major crashes in recent years—in Kurla, Bhandup, and Dadar—involved electric AC buses with automatic transmission that were under wet lease agreements.
Investigation into the Dadar Crash
In the Dadar incident, one theory suggests that inadvertent release of the handbrake in drive mode, combined with accelerator input, caused sudden acceleration. The Shivaji Park police, who are handling the case, have formally requested an RTO inspection to determine whether 'human error' or a technical malfunction led to the deadly crash. BEST committee member Sunil Ganacharya noted a pattern in major fatal crashes where drivers lose control as vehicles rapidly accelerate, a phenomenon he says is more common in electric AC buses with automatic transmission compared to CNG or diesel buses.
Training and Working Conditions
Ganacharya called for exhaustive training and stringent road tests before drivers are permitted to operate e-buses, especially as the fleet increasingly shifts to electric vehicles. He also flagged concerns about long working hours for contractual drivers, who may switch between different types of buses, potentially affecting their performance. 'Drivers of these contractual buses either work for 9-11 hours or, after a 6-hour shift, operate school or tourist buses with different driving systems, then return to sophisticated e-buses the next day. This is also a cause for concern,' he said.
BEST Investigation Team
BEST has formed a four-member team comprising two senior officials and two engineers experienced with electric buses and automatic transmission to examine the bus once access is granted.
Compensation for Victims
On compensation, BEST committee chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao directed that Rs 25,000 be paid immediately to the family of the deceased Swiggy delivery rider. Additionally, Rs 2 lakh has already been given to the family of another victim who remains in critical condition, as reported by BEST panel member Ramakant Gupta.
