Last open-deck, double-decker bus of BEST to retire today

A BEST official said that the first open-deck, double-decker bus, christened ‘Nilambari, was inducted into their fleet with the assistance of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) in 1997.

Another official said that since the last several years, BEST has had three open-deck double-decker buses that were being used to take tourists heritage tours. The buses would ferry visitors to the city’s main tourist attractions. Two of these buses were phased out last month.

The official said that several citizens used to hire the open-deck bus for small functions like birthday celebrations and office parties. The open-deck buses were even used to parade the Indian cricket team after it won the World Cup in 2011.

BEST’s spokesperson said the public transporter has already announced plans to induct open-deck, double-decker buses into its fleet and tender documents are being prepared. The tender for such buses is likely to be invited soon, said the official.

In the early 1990s, the BEST had a fleet of around 900 double-decker buses running on fossil fuels. On September 15, Mumbaikars bid adieu to the last iconic red double-decker bus that was operated on the 415 route between Andheri Station East and SEEPZ.