As part of an expansion plan, the municipal transport body is inducting electric buses into its fleet, including double-decker ones
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has received 10 new single-decker electric buses from Hyderabad-based company Olectra Greentech, civic officials have confirmed.
A spokesperson for BEST stated that the delivery of these 12-metre-long passenger vehicles is part of an agreement in which Olectra will supply 2,100 single-decker buses on a wet lease model. In this model, the operator manages drivers, fuel, and maintenance aspects.
With the addition of this first batch, the number of Olectra's 12-metre-long buses in the BEST fleet has increased to 30. The total count of vehicles under the transport undertaking's administration has reached 70, according to officials.
Sources within BEST revealed that the electric bus manufacturing firm initially supplied 40 minibuses to the civic-run transport undertaking. Subsequently, it secured a contract to supply 2,100 buses with a length of 12 metres. However, due to a legal dispute over the contract, the delivery of buses faced delays.
The BEST undertaking, operating around 3,000 buses, provides services in Mumbai and neighbouring cities such as Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Mira-Bhayandar. Approximately 30 lakh passengers travel daily on BEST buses. After suburban trains, BEST is the second-most popular mode of transport in the country's financial capital.
As part of its expansion plan, the municipal transport body is incorporating electric buses into its fleet, including double-decker ones. According to sources, BEST now has more than 400 electric buses in its fleet.