Mumbai‘s iconic red double-decker buses is all set to bid farewell this week after eight decades.
The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has reluctantly confirmed this development, marking the end of an era in Mumbai’s public transport legacy.
These iconic open-deck double-decker buses, which have graced the city’s streets for more than eight decades, will make their final journey down Mumbai’s bustling streets in the first week of October. These buses have not only been a means of transport but also served as an attraction for tourists seeking a unique perspective of the city since the 1990s.
As these iconic buses prepare for their ultimate farewell, commuter groups and ardent bus enthusiasts have rallied to preserve their memory. Calls have been made to BEST to safeguard at least two of these historic vehicles at their Anik depot-based museum. Pleas have been penned to the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Tourism Minister, and the BEST administration to save a piece of Mumbai’s soul.
“Currently, just seven double-decker buses, including three open-deck models, remain in BEST’s fleet. These vehicles have reached the end of their codal life after 15 years, with the double-decker buses making their final journey on September 15, and the open-deck counterparts bowing out on October 5,” stated a BEST spokesperson.
The iconic red double-decker buses made their debut on Mumbai’s streets in 1937, becoming synonymous with the city’s spirit and even finding a place in Bollywood songs set in Mumbai. At the peak of their glory in the early 1990s, BEST boasted a fleet of around 900 double-decker buses. Sadly, their numbers dwindled after the mid-’90s, primarily due to the high operating costs.
The discontinuation of double-decker bus induction in 2008 further hastened their decline. BEST, however, initiated efforts to replace these legendary buses with modern leased battery-run red and black double-decker models starting in February of this year. Approximately 25 such buses have already been introduced into service.
While the move towards eco-friendly alternatives is commendable, some commuters argue that the new battery-run buses, though comfortable, lack the charm of their predecessors.
To prevent the double-decker buses from fading into oblivion, the commuter group ‘Aapli BEST Aaplyasathi’ has made a heartfelt plea to key figures in the government and BEST administration.
They urge Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BMC Chief Iqbal Singh Chahal, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, and the BEST’s general manager to intervene and preserve the last two red double-decker buses. These buses would then find a new home at the BEST’s museum for the delight of tourists and future generations.
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