AC double-decker e-bus: Routes, fare and facilities, here's all you need to know about the much awaited bus service

Pic/BEST

The AC double-decker e-bus is scheduled to run on the Mumbai roads later this week, officials of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) told mid-day.

A fleet of the newly acquired buses have arrived in Mumbai, general manager of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport, Lokesh Chandra said.

Also Read: Mumbai: Soon you can charge your e-vehicles at BEST depots, know details here

Initially, only a handful of AC double-decker e-buses will be operational in the city, and according to the official estimates more such buses will hit the roads by the end of March.

Here is all you need to know about the AC double-decker e-bus:

Route:

- The first AC double-decker e-bus will be operational from the Kurla bus depot on the Kurla-Santacruz route.

- BEST has decided to deploy the buses on other city routes that have a huge footfall during office hours: Colaba depot, Majas depot, and Kurla depot.

Facilities:

- The AC double-decker e-bus has a capacity of carrying 78 commuters

- It has doors on both sides for passengers to move in and move out easily

- Digital tap-in tap-out ticketing service available

- CCTV cameras installed for the safety of the passengers

Fare:

- It will have a minimum fare of Rs 6

Meanwhile, the BEST officials said that they are expecting to receive more buses batch-wise. In the financial year 2023-24, BEST is planning to introduce around 4,000 e-buses in the city which include around 200 AC double-decker e-buses.

Benefits:

- The 200 buses which will be introduced by BEST this year, will reduce BEST's carbon footprint and will also save around 26 million litres of diesel per year.