Mumbai: Electric Buses have entered the city’s public transport services in a revolutionary step taken through the BEST fleet of public transport vehicles, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said while recently inaugurating the redeveloped Mahim Bus Station here.  

Besides the 12-metre-long electric buses launched under the “FAME II Project”, the occasion witnessed launch of new air-conditioned bus routes A-115 and A-116 and inauguration of 24 other vehicles on the occasion of the 74th BEST Day.   

Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar, Dy. Mayor Suhas Wadkar, Tourism, Environment, Protocol and Mumbai Suburb Guardian Minister Aditya Thackeray, Additional BMC Commissioner (Project) P. Velarus, BEST General Manager Lokesh Chandra, MLA Sada Sarvankar, Corporator Milind Vaidya and BEST Committee Chairman Aashish Chemburkar were present on the occasion. 

Highlighting the BEST public transport services journey from 1874 to 2021 as witnessing remarkable changes in the times, Thackeray described the electric bus as a “non-polluting and environment-friendly” vehicle. He also lauded the BEST employees efforts – even at the cost of their lives – in transporting employees of the emergency services and commuters during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Thackeray said that an “E-Pass” service in future is under consideration to provide numerous facilities on a single ticket including travel on local trains and bus, as promised in +our + election manifesto. While hotel and restaurant owners urged him for relaxation of COVID-19 rules, the state government was also yet to decide this in regard to local train journeys, he said.  

BEST General Manager Lokesh Chandra showcased the electric buses while noting that the per new electric policy allowed for introduction of upto 15% electric vehicles – for which an App would be developed for management of Mumbai City transport under the guidance of Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray.