BEST, the iconic red double-decker bus in Mumbai, is going electric and it will soon procure 900 such buses for the city, minister Aaditya Thackeray announced Thursday in a string of tweets.
"CM Uddhav Thackeray and I have been personally keen on reviving Mumbai's iconic double-decker buses," tweeted the Minister.
"While doing so, the BEST is procuring 900 of them, fully electric and emission-free. As we increase our BEST fleet, ultimately to 10,000 electric/clean alternate fuel buses, our aim is to have maximum double-decker buses, as this increases our capacity," he added.
The BEST double-decker, now electric!
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) January 27, 2022
CM Uddhav Thackeray and I have been personally keen on reviving Mumbai's iconic double-decker buses. pic.twitter.com/lQkjvKlVgh
The tourism and environment Minister said he has requested civic chiefs of other cities in the state to add these double-decker electric buses to their fleet.
"Along with Mumbai, I have requested municipal commissioners of other cities who are procuring electric buses to also add double-decker electric buses into their fleets on busy routes," said Mr Thackeray.
The BEST undertaking provides public bus services in Mumbai and neighbouring cities, including Thane, Mira-Bhayander and Navi Mumbai. Around 25 lakh passengers travel daily in the BEST buses.
The Minister also thanked the Best chairman for accepting the government's suggestion.
"I thank BEST chairman @AshishChemburk1 ji, GM Lokesh Chandra ji, and the committee of BEST for honouring our suggestion," he said.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
