Mumbai's Iconic Red Double-Decker To Go Off Road, But Why

For decades, red double-decker buses have been an integral part of Mumbai's public transport system. However, it is all set to go off-road this week.

Also, the open-deck double-decker buses, which have served as sightseeing buses for tourists since the 1990s, will also disappear from the city streets in the first week of October, PTI reported citing an official.

Given that these buses are bidding farewell to the roads permanently, commuter organizations and passionate bus enthusiasts have appealed to BEST to safeguard at least two of these iconic vehicles for display in its museum at the Anik depot. Letters on this matter have been sent to the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Tourism Minister, and the BEST administration.

"Currently, just seven double-decker buses, including three open-deck buses are left in the BEST's fleet. As these vehicles are completing 15 years of their codal life, the double-decker buses will forever go off roads from September 15, while the open-deck buses will be pulled out on October 5," the daily quoted a BEST spokesperson as saying.

In 1937, the city introduced its iconic red double-decker buses into the public transport system, which over the years have become synonymous with Mumbai itself. Interestingly, they have also made appearances in Bollywood songs featuring Mumbai as their backdrop. At the outset of the 1990s, BEST boasted a fleet of approximately 900 double-decker buses, but this number gradually dwindled after the mid-90s. Due to the high operational expenses, the BEST administration ceased adding double-decker buses to its fleet after 2008.

Since February of this year, the BEST has embarked on a journey to replace these iconic buses with leased battery-powered red and black double-decker buses. To date, around 25 such buses have been introduced. Just last week, the BEST announced its plans to acquire open-deck buses for sightseeing purposes and has already initiated the procurement process. Until these open-deck buses are obtained, the new battery-operated double-decker e-buses will continue to serve tourists.

Howecer, there sare some people who believe that the battery-run buses lack the charm of their older counterparts. "As the new double-decker e-buses are air-conditioned, we will miss sitting in the front in the old buses and travelling with the breeze from the open windows on our faces," said Harshad Joshi, a bus enthusiast.

To prevent the double-decker buses from going under the hammer, a commuters' body "Aapli BEST Aaplyasathi" has written to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, BMC chief Iqbal Singh Chahal and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar and the BEST's general manager urging them to stop these buses from meeting the same fate as trams, which were the first mode of public transport in the city.