19 August,2026 06:28 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The proposed buses will be electric and air-conditioned, with BEST aiming to provide a cleaner and more comfortable mode of public transport. Representational Pic/File
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Committee has unanimously approved the induction of 150 air-conditioned electric double-decker buses as part of efforts to improve public transport and make daily journeys more comfortable for Mumbai commuters.
An official statement said that the decision was taken at a BEST Committee meeting chaired by Trushna Chandrakant Vishwasrao, BEST Committee Chairperson and Municipal Councillor from Ward 180, in the presence of BEST General Manager Dr Sonia Sethi.
The initiative is being undertaken under the guidance of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, it said.
The proposed buses will be electric and air-conditioned, with BEST aiming to provide a cleaner and more comfortable mode of public transport.
The new fleet is expected to offer zero-emission and quieter travel, helping reduce pollution and noise associated with conventional buses.
The move is also part of BEST's wider efforts to expand its electric bus fleet and respond to increasing demand for public transport in Mumbai.
The new double-decker buses will be equipped with several passenger-focused features.
These include automatic entrance and exit doors on both sides of the buses to make boarding and alighting more convenient.
The buses will also have CCTV cameras covering the interiors, aimed at improving passenger safety and security.
The proposed BEST electric buses will also feature mobile charging points at passenger seats.
The facility is expected to provide additional convenience for commuters who rely on their mobile phones during their daily journeys.
During the meeting, Vishwasrao suggested that some of the new buses should feature an open-deck design.
Such buses could be used for tourism and sightseeing, offering visitors and residents a different way to explore Mumbai.
The proposal is aimed at combining BEST's public transport services with the city's tourism potential.
BEST also plans to continue adding new air-conditioned electric single-decker and double-decker buses to its fleet.
According to the undertaking, instructions have already been issued to various bus suppliers, with deliveries expected to begin shortly.
The planned expansion is intended to strengthen Mumbai's public transport network while increasing the availability of cleaner and more comfortable buses for commuters.
