Mumbai to Get 1,500 New EKA and Switch Electric Midi-Buses by 2028

Key Highlights

• BEST to induct 1,500 EKA and Switch electric midi-buses.

• EKA will supply 1,050 buses, while Switch will provide 450.

• Each bus will offer a minimum 200 km range.

• The 12-year wet-lease contract covers 64,800 km annually per bus.

• Complete fleet deployment is expected by March 2028.

Mumbai is set to receive a major boost to its public transport network as the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has signed an agreement to induct 1,500 new air-conditioned electric midi-buses from EKA and Switch. The new buses will be introduced under the Central Government’s PM E-DRIVE scheme and are expected to improve daily commuting, reduce waiting times and strengthen last-mile connectivity to Mumbai’s existing and upcoming metro stations.

The 9-metre electric buses will be deployed across multiple BEST depots under a 12-year wet-lease agreement. The initiative is designed to make public transport more convenient while helping BEST operate efficiently on Mumbai’s narrow and heavily congested roads.

BEST Awards Contracts for 1,500 EKA and Switch Electric Buses

The contracts were finalised following a national competitive bidding process conducted by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) and approval from the BEST Committee.

Under the agreement, two private operators will supply and manage the electric bus fleet across designated municipal depots.

The distribution of the 1,500 electric midi-buses is as follows:

Mumbai Vidyut Vahan Operation Pvt. Ltd. will supply 1,050 EKA electric buses, while SaiGreen EVM Pvt. Ltd. will provide 450 Switch electric buses.

The agreement was signed in the presence of senior BEST officials, including Assistant General Managers R. R. Dubal and Ramesh Madavi, Deputy General Manager R. D. Kare and Chief Accounts Officer Prabhakar Sawant. Industry representatives Siddharth Chaturvedi and Girish Kulkarni were also present during the occasion.

12-Year Wet-Lease Agreement for Electric Bus Operations

The new electric buses will operate under a 12-year wet-lease model. Under this arrangement, private operators will be responsible for managing and operating the buses across their assigned BEST depots. The contract provides for an annual operational distance of 64,800 kilometres per bus.

The agreement follows a gross-cost operating structure, under which BEST will retain complete control over important operational decisions, including route deployment and depot schedules. The transport undertaking will also retain all advertising revenue generated through the buses.

This arrangement is expected to support the operation of the expanded fleet while allowing BEST to manage public transport services according to the city's requirements.

EKA and Switch Electric Buses to Offer 200 Km Range

The upcoming 9-metre electric midi-buses have been designed specifically for Mumbai's busy roads, where smaller buses can help improve connectivity through narrow streets and crowded urban areas.

Each bus will have seating capacity for 28 passengers and will come with several features focused on passenger comfort, safety and accessibility.

One of the important features is the 400 mm ultra-low entry floor, which will make boarding and getting off easier for passengers. The buses will also feature a kneeling mechanism that lowers the vehicle closer to the road during boarding.

For passengers with disabilities, the buses will receive an automated wheelchair ramp and dedicated wheelchair space with accessible seating. In terms of battery performance, the electric buses will use modular battery packs mounted on the rooftop and rear sections. These batteries will provide a minimum driving range of 200 kilometres on a single charge.

Other important features include:

• Full air suspension across both axles for improved ride comfort.

• Front and rear disc brakes for effective braking performance.

• Fire Detection and Suppression System (FDSS) for enhanced passenger safety.

• 360-degree CCTV cameras for better security and monitoring.

• Live GPS tracking for real-time vehicle monitoring.

• Remote telematics for tracking vehicle performance and operations.

• USB charging ports integrated into every passenger seat.

These features are expected to make daily travel more comfortable, accessible and dependable for Mumbai commuters.

Mumbai to Receive First 225 Electric Buses by March 2027

BEST will introduce the new electric buses in multiple phases to ensure a smooth expansion of its public transport fleet. According to the deployment schedule, approximately 225 electric buses are expected to enter service by March 2027. The remaining 1,275 buses will be gradually inducted, with the complete fleet of 1,500 electric midi-buses expected to be operational by March 2028. The phased deployment will allow BEST to expand electric bus services across the designated depots while strengthening connectivity on important city routes.

Electric Midi-Buses to Improve Mumbai's Last-Mile Connectivity

The induction of 1,500 EKA and Switch electric buses is an important step towards improving Mumbai's urban transportation system. The 9-metre buses are expected to be particularly useful on narrow roads and congested routes where larger buses may face operational challenges. They will also help connect commuters with existing and upcoming metro stations, improving last-mile transportation across the city.

With a minimum range of 200 kilometres, modern safety equipment and accessible passenger facilities, the new fleet is expected to improve the overall commuting experience. The expansion will also support Mumbai's transition towards cleaner public transport by increasing the use of electric buses and reducing dependence on conventional diesel-powered vehicles.

Also Read: Force Motors Electric Traveller Vans to Launch in Q1 2027, Company Invests ₹3,000 Crore in EVs

CMV360 Says

BEST's plan to induct 1,500 EKA and Switch electric midi-buses marks a major step towards cleaner and more accessible public transport in Mumbai. With 200 km minimum range, 28-passenger seating, wheelchair accessibility and modern safety features, the buses will improve connectivity across congested city routes. The phased rollout, beginning with 225 buses by March 2027, is expected to strengthen metro connectivity and make daily commuting more convenient.