Considering higher in-house cost i.e. labor cost, many jobs are given to outside contractors such as Body building, Body repairs, Tyre re-treading, Tyre cut repairs & reclaimation of spares. This approach is called as Tapered integration whereby overflows of workload or new activities are carried out without increasing present manpower.

Operation Wing
Operation wing consists of 25 depots spread over the areas of greater Mumbai in addition to Bus Control section, Motor vehicle section and statistical section. For its effective bus operation all the depots carry out various maintenance practices such as preventive maintenance, unit replacement, RTO passing, body damage repairs of buses. An imprest stock of various units, important chassis / bus components is maintained at depot level. Depot replaces the defective units with the imprest stock units and sends the defective unit to Material Control section of workshop for repairs.

In order to curb the menace of air pollution, which is fast deteriorating the health standards of the citizens of Mumbai, we take special efforts to curb the amount of smoke emitted by our vehicles. Smoke meters of the latest state of the art technology are provided in all depots so that the vehicles emitting excessive smoke are attended immediately at the depot itself.

Bus Control Section
This section in the undertaking primary looks after the breakdown of the vehicles on the line as well as looks after the repairs of plant and equipment at the depots. It also acts as coordinator between depots, central workshop and senior officials of BEST. The smooth functioning & roadworthiness of the buses on the line is ensured in the minimum amount of downtime. This section is equipped with wireless sets and the mobile sets are installed on break down vans located at each depot. This section also deals with breakdowns of plant, machinery, installed at depots.

Inspection and Chemical-testing Lab
We have physical and chemical-testing Labs to test the material as per relevant standard specifications. Physical Testing consists of Visual inspection, dimensional check, and physical properties like hardness, tensile strength, breaking strength etc. Chemical testing of materials such as Lubricants, greases, paints, plastic, rubber seals and hoses, packing material, etc is carried out by the Chemical Lab. This Lab also monitors field trials on various grades of lubricants, greases, paints, etc

Research & Development Section
New Technologies Introduced
Automatic fan belt tensioner & Fan belt alignment gauge.
Hub bearing adjustment tool.
Accelerator cable in place of linkages.
Wheel drag & engine friction measurement for improved KMPL.
Calibrated fuel gauge.
Low sulfur content diesel.
Diesel pre-heater.
Air intake by pass system on CNG buses.
Buses running on Bio Diesel

Bio Diesel trials completed in July 2005. Evalution report is awaited from Ashok Leyland.