Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) will procure 200 more AC electric double-deckers buses and be deployed as public transport in the city. According to a report from ETAuto, the civic transport provider's will add these double-deckers to its fleet in a phased manner. Lokesh Chandra, General Manager, BEST announced that the double-decker fleet will reach nearly 450 in the next two years. The Maharashtra state government has been taking several steps to accelerate clean mobility and curb emissions in the city.
The double-deckers will increase the carrying capacity as these buses can ferry up to 100 passengers, including standees in a single ride. He further said, "It will also reduce wait time for commuters at several bus stops, especially on corridor routes for office-goers", adding there was an "adequate number" of small size buses, including AC Minis and Midis.
Also Read: BEST To Have 1800 Electric Buses By 2023; Says Aaditya Thackeray
(Representation Image) BEST has 48 non-AC double-decker buses
Currently, BEST has 48 non-AC double-deckers, and it has already floated tenders for about 200 AC electric twin-deck buses. The bids for the same will begin before month-end. The General Manager has also announced that more double-decker buses will be procured on wet lease.
While addressing a recently organised Maharashtra EV Policy 2021 highlights and discussion, Aaditya Thackeray, the minister of Tourism and Environment for the Government of Maharashtra, said that Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) will have a total of 1800 electric buses by mid-2023.
BEST will have a total of 1800 electric buses by mid-2023. This announcement was made by Aaditya Thackeray, the minister of Tourism and Environment for the Government of Maharashtra while addressing a virtual session for Maharashtra EV Policy 2021. Out of 1800 buses, BEST will deploy about 45 per cent of buses on the streets of Mumbai. As a part of its EV Policy 2021, the Maharashtra state government has set a target of 25 per cent electrification of public transport in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad and Amravati.
