Despite promise of 20, only 2 AC double-decker e-buses in BEST's fleet so far; activists fume as they cite summer heat

BEST officials say the public transport body currently has around 400 AC e-buses in its total fleet of 3,400 buses, while an order for 200 double-decker e-buses has been placed with Switch Mobility.

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has failed to deliver on its promise of inducting by March-end 20 air-conditioned double-decker electric buses into its fleet, which at present comprises only two such vehicles, sparking outrage among activists and bus enthusiasts who demand that the number be raised immediately in view of the rising mercury levels.

At the induction function of the first double decker e-bus on February 14 this year, BEST general manager Lokesh Chandra had announced that the fleet would go up to 20 by March-end. However, in the last more than two months only two buses were handed over to the BEST by Switch Mobility, a subsidiary of automobile manufacturer Ashok Leyland.

Also read: Switch Mobility unveils electric double decker AC bus

He also announced that a total of 200 double decker e-buses would be inducted into the BEST fleet by the end of this year.

During the presentation of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) 2023-24 budget, civic commissioner and administrator Iqbal Singh Chahal also said that the total number of e-buses in the BEST fleet would grow to 3,400 by December-end.

BEST officials say the public transport body currently has around 400 AC e-buses in its total fleet of 3,400 buses, while an order for 200 double-decker e-buses has been placed with Switch Mobility.

They said the delivery of 2,100 regular (single-decker) e-buses, however, is yet to happen as the matter is pending in the Supreme Court. The BEST has also invited bids for additional 700 double decker e-buses after the earlier agency failed to provide a prototype bus within the stipulated time-frame.