BEST to roll out 303 new buses in Mumbai today

New BEST buses to have a centralised ventilation system, clutch-free automatic transmission, and laptop or mobile charging points for passengers

Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) will introduce 303 new red buses in its fleet on Tuesday.

According to BEST, each bus costs around Rs55 lakh. (HT FIle)

The buses will have a centralized roof-mounted ventilation system, clutch-free automatic transmission, and onboard laptop or mobile charging points for passengers.

On Tuesday, Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray will inaugurate these new buses at the Wadala depot in Mumbai in the presence of transport minister Diwakar Raote, industry minister Subhash Desai and Mumbai mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar .

The new buses will be slightly bigger in size with wider doors and more leg space.

According to BEST administration, each bus costs around Rs55 lakh and the undertaking already has 25% of the total number.

“Of the 303 buses, we have received 75 buses and the remaining will reach us soon,” said Hanumant Gophane, public relations officer, BEST.

BEST is the second largest mode of mass transport after suburban trains, which ferries 75 lakh commuters daily. BEST buses provide feeder service to railway network and also contribute to the city’s connectivity, with a fleet of 3800 buses in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Mira-Bhayander.

In the past few years, BEST has rapidly lost passenger patronage. So, officials are hoping that the new buses will help them attract commuters.

According to BEST, the new buses are equipped with Euro IV compliant engines and they also several driver friendly features, such as clutch free automatic transmission. This will help drivers on busy roads as they will not5 have to hit the clutch at regular intervals. Also, the new buses are fitted with a blower in the driver’s cabin.