Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport

<h2 id="history">History</h2>
<h3>1865–1873: Early proposals</h3>

The idea of a mass public transport system for <a href="/facts/Bombay/BdoEc10R">Bombay</a> was first put forward in 1865 by an American company, which applied for a licence to operate a <a href="/facts/Horse-car/LlJkJ2g7">horse-drawn</a> <a href="/facts/Tram/gSaKExyR">tramway</a> system. Although a licence was granted, the project was never realized due to the prevailing economic depression in the city brought on by the end of the <a href="/facts/American_Civil_War/A9FT3ksD">American Civil War</a>, during which Bombay had made vast strides in its economy by supplying cotton and textiles to the world market. The tender was abandoned in 1871.

<h3>1873–1905: Bombay Tramway Company Limited, introduction of horse-drawn trams</h3>

The Bombay Tramway Company Limited (BTC) was formally set up in 1873. After the signing of a contract between BTC, the municipality, and Stearns and Kitteredge, the <a href="/facts/Bombay_Presidency/V0FRawxf">Bombay Presidency</a> enacted the Bombay Tramways Act, 1874, under which the company was licensed to run a horsecar tramway service in the city.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1">1</a> On 9 May 1874, the first horse-drawn tram made its debut, plying the <a href="/facts/Colaba/h7z7WTsf">Colaba</a>–<a href="/facts/Pydhone/haNCG3Ia">Pydhone</a> route via <a href="/facts/Crawford_Market/P2NXDgRP">Crawford Market</a>, and <a href="/facts/Bori_Bunder/r7jM4RDb">Bori Bunder</a> to <a href="/facts/Pydhonie/haNCG3Ia">Pydhonie</a> via <a href="/facts/Kalbadevi/ccgU6uCJ">Kalbadevi</a>. The initial fare was three <a href="/facts/Indian_anna/4x1pdkVs">annas</a> (15 <a href="/facts/Paisa/5NeXftwT">paise</a>) , and no tickets were issued. As the service became increasingly popular, the fare was reduced to two annas (10 paise). Later that year, tickets were issued for the first time to curb increasing ticketless travel.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2">2</a> Stearns and Kitteredge reportedly had a stable of 900 horses when tram service began.
In 1882, the municipality entered into an agreement with the Eastern Electric Light and Power Company to provide electric lighting in the Crawford Market and on some roads. The company went into liquidation the following year, however, and the market reverted to gas lighting. In 1899, BTC applied to the municipality for operation of electrically operated trams. Due to the high investment required, the company suggested that the <a href="/facts/Bombay_Municipal_Corporation/xwwt8weB">Bombay Municipal Corporation</a> (BMC) should waive its right to take over the tramways, which was to take place in 1901 according to the Bombay Tramways Act. Instead, the BMC decided to take over the company but was met with several legal problems. In 1904, the <a href="/facts/British_Electric_Traction_Company/ugYmMS8L">British Electric Traction Company</a> applied for a license to supply electricity to the city. The <a href="/facts/Brush_Electrical_Engineering_Company/BdqpgNNh">Brush Electrical Engineering Company</a> was its agent. It got the "Bombay Electric License" on 31 July 1905 signed by BTC, the Bombay municipality, and its agent, the Brush Electrical Company.

<h3>1905–1947: Bombay Electric Supply & Tramway Company Limited, introduction of electric trams and buses</h3>

In 1905, the Bombay Electric Supply & Tramway Company Limited (BEST) was formed and was granted a monopoly for electric supply and the running of an electric tram service in the city. It bought the assets of the Bombay Tramway Company for ₹9,850,000.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3">3</a> Two years later, in 1907, the first electric tram debuted in the city. Later that year, a 4,300 kilowatts (5,800 hp) <a href="/facts/Steam_power/f7hN8vzm">steam power</a> generator was commissioned at Wari Bunder. In 1916, the <a href="/facts/Tata_Power/4uBrj4mU">Tata Power</a> group began purchasing power, and by 1925, all power generation was outsourced from Tata.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a> The passing years aggravated the problem of rush-hour traffic, and to ease the situation, <a href="/facts/Double-decker_tram/epphry2p">double-decker trams</a> were introduced in September 1920.

Since 1913, the company had been considering starting a <a href="/facts/Motor_bus/CuEPrMhW">motorised bus</a> service. The main factor against its introduction was the high accident rate for a similar service in London. After years of debate, the company came to a decision on 10 February 1926 to start a bus service later that year. Bombay saw its first bus run on 15 July 1926, between <a href="/facts/Afghan_Church/JabqTWXv">Afghan Church</a> and Crawford Market. Despite stiff opposition and protests by taxi drivers, the service ran without a hitch, transporting 600,000 passengers by the end of that year. The following year, the number had increased to 3.8 million. In response to pleas by the government and the Bombay Municipal Corporation, the company extended its services to the northern part of the city in 1934. The <a href="/facts/Indian_independence_movement/0n35LRk8">Indian independence movement</a>'s call for mass nonviolent strikes and general <a href="/facts/Civil_disobedience/jaNFkCLY">civil disobedience</a> led to regular service disruptions, causing the company to incur huge losses in 1929. The following year was a particular bad one for the company, in the wake of the <a href="/facts/Great_Depression/5K13wcg0">Great Depression</a>. To remain solvent, it decided to introduce discounted fares for short routes and increase its coverage to the northern portions of the city. In 1937, the introduction of <a href="/facts/Double-decker_bus/c493CxwY">double-decker buses</a> proved extremely popular.

<h3>1947–1995: Bombay Electric Supply & Transport, further expansion</h3>

Pursuant to the option given to it under the deed of concession granted to the Bombay Electric Supply and Tramways Co. Ltd, the BMC acquired the assets of the combined undertaking, namely the operation of tramways and distribution of electricity in the city of Bombay as a going concern on 7 August 1947. By mutual agreement, the corporation also took over the operation of bus services, which were run by the Bombay Electric Supply & Transport Company. Thus, the Bombay Electric Supply & Tramways Company was renamed Bombay Electric Supply & Transport.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a>
As the company grew, it increased its fleet from 242 to 582 buses over the next decade. In 1949, it took over the <a href="/facts/Bandra_Bus_Company/YtnDmSxS">Bandra Bus Company</a>, which used to operate in <a href="/facts/Mumbai_suburban_district/L3D3Wuvt">Bombay's suburbs</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a> In 1951, the electricity division switched over from <a href="/facts/Direct_current/r9MNUx84">direct current</a> (DC) to the more efficient <a href="/facts/Alternating_current/qxICS3xa">alternating current</a> (AC). The company launched its services in the eastern suburbs in 1955. That year, the undertaking and private operators went to court with BEST, asking for a complete closure of the private companies. The case dragged on for four years before the <a href="/facts/Supreme_Court_of_India/GfYduSqA">Supreme Court of India</a> granted the organisation a complete monopoly over bus services in the <a href="/facts/Greater_Bombay/BdoEc10R">Greater Bombay</a> area. In 1964, due to high operational costs and poor public support, its long-running tram services were terminated.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a> The company became the first in the country to issue computerised billing in 1974. In 1994, it introduced electronic meters in a move to replace the less accurate electric meters.
A notable chairman of BEST during the 1970s was <a href="/facts/Kisan_Mehta/qzM4z7RB">Kisan Mehta</a>, who was known for his social activism.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a>

<h3>1995–present: Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport, recent developments</h3>

With the renaming of the city from Bombay to Mumbai in 1995, the organization was rebranded as Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST). Following a Supreme Court directive, the company gradually phased out old buses and introduced new ones that complied with <a href="/facts/Euro_III/uPnvP1BL">Euro III</a> pollution control standards.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a> On 19 November 2004, route SPL-8, travelling from <a href="/facts/Churchgate/kkxGRjFD">Churchgate</a> to the <a href="/facts/World_Trade_Centre_(Mumbai)/LnTcel8k">World Trade Centre</a>, began accepting cashless <a href="/facts/Smart_card/K7b9lowS">smart cards</a> for automatic fare collection on BEST buses.

<h2 id="transport-department">Transport department</h2>

<h3>Rolling stock and depot</h3>
In 1936, the company owned 433 trams and 128 buses.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a>
As of May 2023<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brihanmumbai_Electric_Supply_and_Transport&action=edit">[update]</a>, BEST had a fleet of 3,228 buses. This comprised 525 diesel single-decker buses, 2,250 <a href="/facts/Compressed_natural_gas/tMsYjxMK">CNG</a> buses, 406 <a href="/facts/Battery_electric_bus/Y95IhpCn">battery electric</a> single-decker buses, 45 diesel <a href="/facts/Double-decker_bus/c493CxwY">double-decker buses</a>, and 7 battery electric double-decker buses.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a> Due to the National Vehicle Scrappage Policy, under which all government-owned vehicles older than 15 years are to be scrapped from 1 April 2023, BEST's fleet would be replaced by new vehicles running on <a href="/facts/Alternative_fuel/TcKYtwXp">alternative fuels</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a>
The company placed a ₹36,750,000,000 (US$430 million) order with Olectra Greentech to supply and maintain 2,100 battery electric single-decker buses for a 12-year period in May 2022.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a> In February 2023, India's first battery electric double-decker <a href="/facts/Air_conditioning/bK2sIKQd">AC</a> bus was deployed by BEST on the A-115 route,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a> one of 200 Switch EiV 22 models from <a href="/facts/Switch_Mobility/jlpx0bkS">Switch Mobility</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a> The target was to have a fully electric fleet by 2027.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a>
BEST also operates goods-carrying buses, <a href="/facts/Tow_truck/xVNW2owH">breakdown vans</a>, sightseeing and party buses, tree-cutting double-decker buses, and driving school buses for training drivers. All buses have GPS devices installed, which provide real-time information to management as well as passengers. Inside the buses, there are <a href="/facts/Light-emitting_diode/gE8x4MDb">LED</a> indicators displaying route and destination as well as upcoming stop names.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a>
In April 2022, BEST rolled out the "Tap in and Tap out" ticketing system, making Mumbai the first city in India to get fully digital buses.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22">22</a>

<h3>Bus routes</h3>
BEST bus routes are spread citywide and extend to the neighbouring cities of <a href="/facts/Navi_Mumbai/Qa5lxDxa">Navi Mumbai</a>, <a href="/facts/Thane_district/eIx9dtG7">Thane</a>, and <a href="/facts/Mira-Bhayandar/q4xjsmsl">Mira-Bhayandar</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23">23</a>
As of 2021, BEST ran approximately 3,800 buses,<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24">24</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25">25</a> ferrying 5 million passengers<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26">26</a> over 443 routes, and had a workforce of 38,000, which included 22,000 drivers and conductors.
Besides buses, BEST operates a <a href="/facts/Water_transport_in_Mumbai/xwdJJCNx">ferry service</a> since 1981 in northern Mumbai, across <a href="/facts/Manori_Creek/HU2NWthT">Manori Creek</a>. The <a href="/facts/Barge/9XrPkXV4">barges</a> run at regular intervals across the shallow creek linking <a href="/facts/Manori/s5956fo1">Manori</a> to <a href="/facts/Marve/glrR92u7">Marve</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27">27</a>
The BEST bus service suffered two bombings, on <a href="/facts/6_December_2002_Mumbai_Bus_Bombing/y05nSY1r">6 December 2002</a> and <a href="/facts/28_July_2003_Mumbai_Bus_Bombing/xFA9wnmd">28 July 2003</a>, killing six people altogether. In August 2006, the company introduced payphone system and CCTVs on its buses as a response to terror attacks.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:28" href="#fn:28">28</a>

<h3>Fares and ticketing</h3>

BEST has several options to pay bus fares:

<ul><li>Single journey (paper ticket issued by the bus conductor and validated by <a href="/facts/Ticket_punch/5Ioq8tVl">ticket punch</a>)</li>
<li>Chalo App (digital ticket)</li>
<li>Chalo Card</li>
<li><a href="/facts/National_Common_Mobility_Card/bP92rVrw">National Common Mobility Card</a></li></ul>
Fares vary depending on the type of journey. Paper tickets are valid only for single journeys. Commuters also have the option to buy a daily pass, distance pass, and zonal pass. Students are eligible for discounts on monthly and quarterly passes and senior citizens for discounts on weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and quarterly passes.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:29" href="#fn:29">29</a>

<h3>BEST Transport Museum</h3>
The BEST Transport Museum is located at Anik bus depot in <a href="/facts/Wadala/yLcVb7ad">Wadala</a>. It was set up in 1984 at BEST's <a href="/facts/Kurla/m18hjSkl">Kurla</a> depot and moved to Anik in 1993.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:30" href="#fn:30">30</a> Besides tracing the company's evolution, the museum houses mini models of BEST buses and trams.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:31" href="#fn:31">31</a>

<h2 id="electric-department">Electric department</h2>
Since 1926, BEST has been sourcing its power from <a href="/facts/Tata_Power/4uBrj4mU">Tata Power</a>, part of the Tata Group conglomerate. Power cables are laid underground, which reduces pilferage and other losses that plague most other parts of India. The nominal rating of power supplied by BEST is 3-phase, 50 <a href="/facts/Hertz/6Wshj5qm">Hz</a>, 220/110 <a href="/facts/Kilovolt/KF18MXP2">kV</a>. Unlike the transport company, the electricity department services only the city of Mumbai and not its suburbs.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:32" href="#fn:32">32</a>

<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>

<ul><li><a href="/facts/Public_transport_in_Mumbai/vQRBC3Rk">Public transport in Mumbai</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Water_transport_in_Mumbai/xwdJJCNx">Water transport in Mumbai</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Maharashtra_State_Electricity_Board/P5r54sCM">Maharashtra State Electricity Board</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Maharashtra_Electricity_Regulatory_Commission/tAQXsGLn">Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport.

Wikiquote has quotations related to Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport.

<ul><li><a href="http://bestundertaking.com">Official website</a></li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20081022233706/http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap02.asp">"Tram-car arrives"</a>. BEST Undertaking. Archived from <a href="http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap02.asp">the original</a> on 22 October 2008. Retrieved 27 August 2005.</li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100115024212/http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap03.asp">"Motor-Bus appears"</a>. BEST Undertaking. Archived from <a href="http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap03.asp">the original</a> on 15 January 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2005.</li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050409144816/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap04.asp">"Electricity arrives in Mumbai"</a>. BEST Undertaking. Archived from <a href="http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap04.asp">the original</a> on 9 April 2005. Retrieved 27 August 2005.</li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050903071002/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap05.asp">"B.E.S.&T. Company"</a>. BEST Undertaking. Archived from <a href="http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap05.asp">the original</a> on 3 September 2005. Retrieved 27 August 2005.</li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050908094141/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap06.asp">"B.E.S.T. Undertaking"</a>. BEST Undertaking. Archived from <a href="http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap06.asp">the original</a> on 8 September 2005. Retrieved 27 August 2005.</li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061011193451/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap07.asp">"Progress of Bus Service"</a>. BEST Undertaking. Archived from <a href="http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap07.asp">the original</a> on 11 October 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2005.</li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061006092503/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap08.asp">"Alternative modes of transport"</a>. BEST Undertaking. Archived from <a href="http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap08.asp">the original</a> on 6 October 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2005.</li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061009032917/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap12.asp">"Electric Supply"</a>. BEST Undertaking. Archived from <a href="http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap12.asp">the original</a> on 9 October 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2005.</li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090604204123/http://www.bestundertaking.com/trans_func.asp">"Organisational Setup (Transport)"</a>. BEST Undertaking. Archived from <a href="http://bestundertaking.com/trans_func.asp">the original</a> on 4 June 2009. Retrieved 27 August 2005.</li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061029141237/http://www.bestundertaking.com/elec_key.asp">"Organisational Setup (Electric)"</a>. BEST Undertaking. Archived from <a href="http://bestundertaking.com/elec_key.asp">the original</a> on 29 October 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2005.</li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110716061033/http://www.bestundertaking.com/finance.asp">"Financial Highlights and Budget Estimates"</a>. BEST Undertaking. Archived from <a href="http://bestundertaking.com/finance.asp">the original</a> on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2005.</li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061029141640/http://www.bestundertaking.com/trans_award.asp">"Awards"</a>. BEST Undertaking. Archived from <a href="http://bestundertaking.com/trans_award.asp">the original</a> on 29 October 2006. Retrieved 27 August 2005.</li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">"Growth of Mumbai & its Municipal Corporation". Quarterly journal of the Local Self Government Institute (Mumbai). 1976. p. 13. <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">David, M. D. (1995). Mumbai, the city of dreams: a history of the first city in India. Himalaya Publishing House. pp. 199–200. <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">"Electricity Arrives in Mumbai". BEST Undertaking. Archived from the original on 11 October 2006. Retrieved 12 October 2006. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061011063810/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap05.asp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20061011063810/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap05.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">"Electricity Arrives in Mumbai". BEST Undertaking. Archived from the original on 8 October 2006. Retrieved 12 October 2006. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061008192531/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap04.asp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20061008192531/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap04.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">"Motor-Bus Appears". BEST Undertaking. Archived from the original on 15 January 2010. Retrieved 12 October 2006. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100115024212/http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap03.asp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20100115024212/http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap03.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">"B.E.S.&T. Company". BEST Undertaking. Archived from the original on 11 October 2006. Retrieved 12 October 2006. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061011063810/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap05.asp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20061011063810/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap05.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">"Progress of the Bus Service". BEST Undertaking. Archived from the original on 11 October 2006. Retrieved 12 October 2006. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061011193451/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap07.asp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20061011193451/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap07.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">"Alternative modes of Transport". BEST Undertaking. Archived from the original on 6 October 2006. Retrieved 12 October 2006. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061006092503/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap08.asp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20061006092503/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap08.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">"Activist Kisan Mehta passes away". Times of India. 9 March 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2024. <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/activist-kisan-mehta-passes-away/articleshow/46508975.cms" target="_blank">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/activist-kisan-mehta-passes-away/articleshow/46508975.cms</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">"Electric Supply". BEST Undertaking. Archived from the original on 9 October 2006. Retrieved 12 October 2006. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20061009032917/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap12.asp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20061009032917/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap12.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">World Survey of Foreign Railways. Transportation Division, Bureau of foreign and domestic commerce, Washington D.C. 1936. p. 226d. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=HxHLQGfxDa0C&pg=RA17-PA25" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=HxHLQGfxDa0C&pg=RA17-PA25</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">Sen, S (4 May 2023). "BEST's daily bus ridership falls by 2 lakh, fleet size shrinks 11%". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 4 May 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023. <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/bests-daily-bus-ridership-falls-by-2-lakh-fleet-size-shrinks-11/articleshow/99973036.cms" target="_blank">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/bests-daily-bus-ridership-falls-by-2-lakh-fleet-size-shrinks-11/articleshow/99973036.cms</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">"9 lakh govt vehicles, buses older than 15 yrs to be scrapped from Apr 1: Gadkari". The Times of India. 30 January 2023. Archived from the original on 2 February 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023. <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/auto/cars/9-lakh-govt-vehicles-buses-older-than-15-yrs-to-be-scrapped-from-apr-1-gadkari/articleshow/97449329.cms" target="_blank">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/auto/cars/9-lakh-govt-vehicles-buses-older-than-15-yrs-to-be-scrapped-from-apr-1-gadkari/articleshow/97449329.cms</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">Rao, S (3 May 2023). "Most BEST double-decker buses to be phased out by year end". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023. <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/mumbai-bids-adieu-to-iconic-double-decker-buses-as-40-out-of-45-are-set-to-be-phased-out-by-year-end-due-to-safety-reasons-101683053775239-amp.html" target="_blank">https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/mumbai-bids-adieu-to-iconic-double-decker-buses-as-40-out-of-45-are-set-to-be-phased-out-by-year-end-due-to-safety-reasons-101683053775239-amp.html</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">Mehta, M (24 May 2022). "BEST inks Rs 3,675 crore deal, India's biggest, to get 2,100 e-buses in 12 months". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2023. <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/best-inks-3675cr-deal-indias-biggest-to-get-2100-e-buses-in-12-mths/articleshow/91752581.cms" target="_blank">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/best-inks-3675cr-deal-indias-biggest-to-get-2100-e-buses-in-12-mths/articleshow/91752581.cms</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">Sen, S (21 February 2023). "Country's first electric double-decker bus launched on CSMT-NCPA route in Mumbai". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023. <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/countrys-first-electric-double-decker-launched-on-csmt-ncpa-route-in-mumbai/articleshow/98110269.cms" target="_blank">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/countrys-first-electric-double-decker-launched-on-csmt-ncpa-route-in-mumbai/articleshow/98110269.cms</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">Rao, S (3 May 2023). "Most BEST double-decker buses to be phased out by year end". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 3 May 2023. Retrieved 5 May 2023. <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/mumbai-bids-adieu-to-iconic-double-decker-buses-as-40-out-of-45-are-set-to-be-phased-out-by-year-end-due-to-safety-reasons-101683053775239-amp.html" target="_blank">https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/mumbai-bids-adieu-to-iconic-double-decker-buses-as-40-out-of-45-are-set-to-be-phased-out-by-year-end-due-to-safety-reasons-101683053775239-amp.html</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">"Switch Mobility unveils India's first electric double-decker air-conditioned bus". The Economic Times. 18 August 2022. Archived from the original on 18 August 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2023. <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/switch-mobility-unveils-countrys-first-electric-double-decker-air-conditioned-bus/articleshow/93635213.cms" target="_blank">https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/switch-mobility-unveils-countrys-first-electric-double-decker-air-conditioned-bus/articleshow/93635213.cms</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:19">Mehta, M (24 May 2022). "BEST inks Rs 3,675 crore deal, India's biggest, to get 2,100 e-buses in 12 months". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 July 2022. Retrieved 5 May 2023. <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/best-inks-3675cr-deal-indias-biggest-to-get-2100-e-buses-in-12-mths/articleshow/91752581.cms" target="_blank">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/best-inks-3675cr-deal-indias-biggest-to-get-2100-e-buses-in-12-mths/articleshow/91752581.cms</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:20">Mumbai Mirror article published on 29 August 2012 <a href="http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/cover-story/King-Long-buses-that-keep-breaking-down-are-not-King-Longs/articleshow/16233184.cms" target="_blank">http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/cover-story/King-Long-buses-that-keep-breaking-down-are-not-King-Longs/articleshow/16233184.cms</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:21">"Mumbai to Become First City in the Country to Get 100% Digital Buses with Tap in, Tap Out Facility". India.com. 19 April 2022. <a href="https://www.india.com/maharashtra/mumbai-becomes-first-city-to-get-100-digital-buses-with-tap-in-tap-out-facility-brihanmumbai-electric-supply-and-transport-buses-chalo-mobile-app-5347086/" target="_blank">https://www.india.com/maharashtra/mumbai-becomes-first-city-to-get-100-digital-buses-with-tap-in-tap-out-facility-brihanmumbai-electric-supply-and-transport-buses-chalo-mobile-app-5347086/</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:22">Rao, Shashank (18 April 2022). "Tap-in/tap-out ticketing to start this week, BEST passengers will have to board bus from front; watch video". The Free Press Journal. <a href="https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-tap-intap-out-ticketing-to-start-this-week-best-passengers-will-have-to-board-bus-from-front-watch-video" target="_blank">https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-tap-intap-out-ticketing-to-start-this-week-best-passengers-will-have-to-board-bus-from-front-watch-video</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:23">"A timeline of BEST buses in Mumbai". Daily News and Analysis. Mumbai. 29 June 2013. Retrieved 11 March 2015. <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-a-timeline-of-best-buses-in-mumbai-1854866" target="_blank">http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-a-timeline-of-best-buses-in-mumbai-1854866</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:24">"3 Puneites in race for Sammelan presidentship". The Times of India. <a href="http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/3-Puneites-in-race-for-Sammelan-presidentship/articleshow/3785766.cms" target="_blank">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/3-Puneites-in-race-for-Sammelan-presidentship/articleshow/3785766.cms</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:25">"Composition of Bus Fleet". BEST Undertaking. Archived from the original on 12 February 2005. Retrieved 12 October 2006. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20050212184403/http://www.bestundertaking.com/trans_engg.asp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20050212184403/http://www.bestundertaking.com/trans_engg.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:26">"Now running TV ads in Mumbai's BEST buses". Rediff.com. Retrieved 5 August 2011. <a href="http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/aug/25best.htm" target="_blank">http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/aug/25best.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:27">"Bus Transport Profile". Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST). Archived from the original on 28 June 2002. Retrieved 27 November 2009. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20020628154146/http://www.bestundertaking.com/trans_botright.asp" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20020628154146/http://www.bestundertaking.com/trans_botright.asp</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:28">"BEST makes a smart move". Daily News & Analysis. 26 August 2006. Retrieved 12 October 2006. <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1049567" target="_blank">http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1049567</a> <a href="#fnref:28" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:29">"Buspass Scheme in Detail (2019)" (PDF). BEST Undertaking. Retrieved 5 January 2023. <a href="https://bestundertaking.com/in/pdf/BusPassSchemeJuly2019.pdf" target="_blank">https://bestundertaking.com/in/pdf/BusPassSchemeJuly2019.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:29" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:30">Priyanka Bhosale. "Summer Past-time – BEST Transport Museum Wadala". Karmayog.org. Retrieved 16 December 2009. <a href="http://www.karmayog.org/knowmumbai/knowmumbai_15458.htm" target="_blank">http://www.karmayog.org/knowmumbai/knowmumbai_15458.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:30" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:31">Time Out Mumbai. "BEST Transport Museum". Time Out Mumbai. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 16 December 2009. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110724104717/http://saregama.timeoutmumbai.net/kids/kids_features_details.asp?code=76" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110724104717/http://saregama.timeoutmumbai.net/kids/kids_features_details.asp?code=76</a> <a href="#fnref:31" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:32">The BEST is the best option for Mumbai. Dnaindia.com. Retrieved on 6 December 2013. <a href="http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1880455/report-the-best-is-the-best-option-for-mumbai" target="_blank">http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1880455/report-the-best-is-the-best-option-for-mumbai</a> <a href="#fnref:32" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport open-in-new

Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport