On Thursday, the final open-deck double-decker bus of the Mumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) said goodbye after providing 15 years of service to Mumbai. Mumbai residents shouldn’t panic, though, as the transport administration has already announced plans to reintroduce these vehicles and the procurement process is in motion. Here’s what Mumbaikars have to say about this ride.
Mumbaikars Bid Adieu To BEST’s Open Deck Double-Decker Bus!
Farewell to Mumbai’s Famous Tourist Attraction Open Double-Deck Bus https://t.co/x35PcPgm9R
— Bhagyesh Joshi 🏏🇮🇳 (@Cric_bhagya82) September 7, 2023
BEST has been entertaining tourists for more than 20 years by giving them ‘Mumbai Darshan’ on these buses. Mantralaya, Vidhan Bhavan, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) were among the well-known and recognisable monuments covered by the vehicles.
1964: Mahim Junction Causeway
Look at the crisp zebra crossing and the discipline of drivers. No CCTVs were present to capture the offences back then.
How we became such an indisciplined civilization in a matter of few decades?
Who is to be blamed for this downfall in Mumbai? pic.twitter.com/pNtJmGKq1i— Mumbai Heritage (@mumbaiheritage) October 5, 2023
In addition to these locations, the buses also visited Hutatma Chowk, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Prince of Wales Museum, the Asiatic Library, the Old Custom House, the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), Marine Drive, Girgaon Chowpatty, Churchgate Station, the Oval Ground, the High Court, and Mumbai University.
The best thing of Mumbai … why dont they preserve all these things😑
— Neha Fatnani (@nehafatnani27) October 6, 2023
Sad to see.
They had a few back in 1998 when I lived there.— ᑕᒍ ᕼEᖇᗰᗩᑎ (@CraigJHerman1) October 6, 2023
Also Read: Mumbaikars, The City Will Have 700 AC Electric Double-Decker Buses By Mid-2024!
Mumbaikars have expressed their grief about saying goodbye to the open-deck double-decker bus. For many, it was a memory associated with their childhood and it is the end of an era! An X user stated that it was the best thing in the city and she would miss it. Another user stated that it was a sad thing and shared that when he lived in Mumbai, these buses were still running. Others have shared posts of farewell to the iconic tourist bus.
Further Plans For The Mumbai Darshan
A farewell to Mumbai’s iconic open deck! #bus #opendecker #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/Z4I7gBvLj5
— Chanchal Mantri 🦕 (@Chanchal_Mantri) October 5, 2023
BEST is purchasing AC double-decker electric buses to give a better “Mumbai darshan” experience. These will run every day of the week without any noise or pollution. Automatic entry will be available for passengers from both sides. The buses will have improved CCTV surveillance systems and mobile charging stations.
In cooperation with the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, the open-deck double-decker buses were initially introduced in 1977. With the addition of 10 brand-new open-deck double-decker buses, the experience will now be improved.
Also Read: Watch: Mumbaikars Bid Adieu To The Iconic Double-Decker Bus As The Last One Leaves Marol Depot
Comment below and share your thoughts about this iconic open-deck double-decker bus of Mumbai. Also, tell us have you ever travelled by this bus?
Cover Image Courtesy: BEST Undertaking/ Facebook
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First Published: October 06, 2023 11:23 AM