Mumbai Goes Greener! BEST Adds 150 Next-Gen Electric Buses to Power the City’s Commute

Key Highlights:

• 150 new electric buses added to the BEST fleet.

• Includes 115 PMI and 35 Olectra models.

• Low-floor, wheelchair-friendly design.

• Improved Metro and rail connectivity.

• ₹1,000 crore allocated by BMC for 2025-26.

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has added 150 new electric buses to its fleet, marking another step towards eco-friendly urban mobility in Mumbai. These include 115 buses from PMI Electro Mobility and 35 buses from Olectra Greentech Ltd.

The new buses come with advanced safety and comfort features such as Vehicle Tracking Mechanism (VTM), CCTV cameras, and Community Centre connectivity. They also feature low-floor designs and a kneeling function, making them easily accessible for senior citizens, passengers with disabilities, and wheelchair users.

Launch Event at Colaba Depot

The new e-buses were launched at the Colaba bus depot in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

During the event, CM Fadnavis praised BEST’s efforts in modernizing its fleet and emphasized the importance of generating non-fare revenue, stating, “In any public transport, 40% of revenue must come from non-fare sources to sustain. The Maharashtra government and the BMC will provide all necessary support, but BEST must find innovative ways to generate revenue.”

Deputy CM Shinde also assured that the government will provide financial assistance whenever required to strengthen Mumbai’s public transport system.

Funding Support from BMC

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has extended strong financial backing to the BEST Undertaking.

• Over ₹3,400 crore has already been provided in grants over the last few years.

• An additional ₹1,000 crore has been allocated for the 2025-26 financial year.

• BEST has already received around ₹500 crore this year.

Bus Specifications and Features

Both PMI and Olectra buses bring unique features to the fleet:

• PMI Buses: Lower floor height of 400 mm, ideal for easy boarding and accessibility.

• Olectra Buses: Slightly higher floor height of 900 mm, but offers a longer driving range of 357 km per full charge compared to PMI’s 289.18 km.

All buses include modern passenger amenities and enhanced safety features to ensure comfort and security for daily commuters.

Boosting Connectivity Across Mumbai

The new electric buses will improve connectivity to major suburban railway and Metro stations, ensuring smooth last-mile travel for passengers. Key routes include:

• Andheri (West)

• Jogeshwari (West)

• Kurla (East & West)

• Bandra (West)

• Kandivali (West)

• Borivali (West)

They will also link Metro lines 1, 2A, 3, and 7, catering to an estimated 1.9 lakh additional commuters daily.

Launch Event Faces Hiccups

The event, however, was marred by heavy rainfall and poor coordination. Media personnel, guests, and BEST officials were left without proper shelter.

Adding to the confusion, different officials quoted different numbers of buses being launched, while CM Fadnavis and Deputy CM Shinde mentioned 157 buses, the BEST’s official note confirmed 150 buses.

No live demonstration of the buses was provided for the media, and PMI contractors quickly returned the buses to the Anik depot after the ceremony.

Traffic Snarls in South Mumbai

Following the event, as contractors drove the new buses back to Anik depot, around 159 buses clogged South Mumbai roads during rush hour. The stretch from Colaba depot to Regal Cinema witnessed major traffic jams amid heavy rains, as the line of new buses moved through already congested streets.

Future Plans and Positive Outlook

BEST General Manager Sonia Sethi highlighted that Mumbai requires a total of 7,000 buses to meet public demand. She added, “By the end of this calendar year, 100 more electric buses will join our fleet. We are prioritizing driver training after the Kurla incident and will induct only those buses operated by fully trained drivers.”

Sethi also mentioned ongoing challenges with bus supply from contractors, but assured that BEST is exploring all solutions to maintain consistent operations.

At present, BEST operates 2,609 buses, including 298 owned buses and the rest on wet lease, as part of its effort to gradually shift towards a 100% electric fleet.

Also Read: Delhi to Ban Entry of Non-BS-VI Commercial Goods Vehicles from November 1 to Fight Pollution: Delhi Tightens Emission Rules to Improve Air Quality

CMV360 Says

The addition of 150 electric buses marks a major milestone in Mumbai’s journey toward sustainable transportation. Despite minor launch hiccups, the initiative reflects BEST’s commitment to creating a cleaner, safer, and more accessible public transport system for all Mumbaikars.