Making public transport environment-friendly, Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has inducted 35 electric buses to Mumbai’s fleet under the central government’s FAME II project

He dedicated the new buses to people on Saturday, which was also the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Foundation Day, in the presence of senior officials of state government, BEST and Tata Motors, at the BEST Bus Depot at Mahim West in Mumbai. The delivery is a part of the first ever Gross Cost Contract (GCC) by BEST.  

These Tata Starbus AC electric buses manufactured by Tata Motors have been extensively tested and validated across varied terrains and conditions and are engineered to deliver a high standard of performance.

The 12-metre long, 35-seater, air-conditioned buses can accommodate 59 passengers. These electric buses have wheelchair access that extend an automated ramp for easy ingress and egress of specially-abled passengers, ergonomic seats, roomy interiors, charging ports and wide entry and exit passages. The fully-electric buses come with Intelligent Transport System (ITS), like GPS, panic buttons and telematics system, regenerative braking system and other features for efficient and smooth operations.

These 35 buses are part of the larger order to deliver 340 electric buses that consist of 200 units of 9-metre 25-seater models and 140 units of the 12-metre 35-seater models. BEST has targeted a total fleet size of 1,800 e-buses by mid-2023. The buses can travel up to 200 km with one single charge. As per Tata Motors, the company will build, deploy, maintain and operate complete charging infrastructure along with the buses and deliver the rest of the order in a phased manner, as per the schedule.

The Maharashtra government is also in the process to issue a common card to commute by BEST bus, metro and railways in December with an e-pass that will enable many facilities on a single ticket.

“Today on @myBESTBus foundation day, CM Uddhav Thackeray ji also announced the BEST App and Common Travel Pass for BEST Bus, Metro and Railway that would be launched in December,” tweeted environment minister, Aditya Thackeray.

Lokesh Chandra, IAS, General Manager, BEST Undertaking, said, “The new electronic policy will increase the number of electronic vehicles by 15%. An app on traffic management in Mumbai will be developed under the guidance of environment minister Aditya Thackeray.”

The CM also inaugurated distribution of gratuity to the retired employees of BEST. The amount will be deposited directly in the bank account of the employee. The amount of Rs 94.21 crore will be deposited directly in the bank accounts of the 1005 retiring employees.