Mumbai’s public transport just got a green update! The city’s BEST fleet has welcomed 157 new electric buses, marking another step toward sustainable urban mobility. That’s not all, officials have confirmed that around 5,000 more such vehicles will be introduced in phases. Scroll on to know more about this.
Mumbai Gets 157 New Electric Buses
According to The Economic Times, 157 zero-emission, air-conditioned electric buses were added to Mumbai’s BEST fleet on Tuesday. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis launched these buses during a programme held at the BEST’s depot at Colaba.
These 12-metre-long new electric buses on the BEST fleet will operate on 21 routes across Mumbai. As per Hindustan Times, they will cover an equal number of wards. The new buses have been added to the fleet on a wet lease. Of these, 115 were made by PMI Electro Mobility and will be operated by Mumbadevi Mobility Pvt Ltd, while the remaining 35 buses, built by Olectra Greentech Ltd, will be managed by EV Trans Maharashtra Pvt Ltd.
5,000 More BEST Electric Vehicles To Roll Out In Phases
While addressing the media at the event, CM Devendra Fadnavis also shared his plans to introduce 5,000 such electric buses in Mumbai in phases. According to him, if the city’s bus service network is not strong, the metro and suburban railway networks cannot be fully utilised.
Deputy CM Eknath Shinde was also present at the programme and spoke about BEST’s new buses and the importance of electric vehicles to help build an eco-friendly transport system in Mumbai. He mentioned that with these buses, nearly three lakh BEST passengers will be able to travel comfortably and experience cleaner skies in the city!
We can’t wait to experience these new eco-friendly buses in the city. Let us know your thoughts on this bus expansion in Mumbai and how you think it will help improve public transportation.
Cover Image Courtesy: X/CMOMaharashtra