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 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.
