Mumbai: Bus fans sulk as double deckers go off Marine Drive

BEST has replaced the double decker buses with air-conditioned electric vehicles. File pics

With the BEST converting a few of its popular south Mumbai routes from old, sturdy, double deckers into AC electric vehicles earlier this week, bus fans regretted that the iconic symbols of transport have now gone completely missing from the Queen's necklace.

BEST officials said the routes have been shifted temporarily to manage the COVID-19 passenger traffic in absence of local trains and should be back once things normalise. "First it was 123 (Colaba-Tardeo), then 137 (Navy Nagar Churchgate) and now 138 (Backbay to Mumbai CSMT) also! With this, one of the last remaining regular routes of double-decker buses along Mumbai's iconic Marine Drive has gone," said bus fan Ninad Kabale.

He said one double decker from Colaba depot runs on 22 Limited between Electric House and Dadar TT, but is very unpredictable and is often operated with its upper deck sealed up. "Then there is Special 1 route that still gets a double decker from NCPA to CSMT, but for a very small stretch," he said.

Khurshed Lawyer, another bus fan, added, "A handful of erratic ones remain, but the most regular and popular ones with patronisation have been converted into single decks and AC which is a sad thing as a legacy for this city."

A BEST spokesperson played down the concerns saying the double deckers will be back on Marine Drive in some time. "Local trains are shut. The passenger movement patterns have changed and hence we have shifted the double deckers as per crowd patterns and taken MSRTC buses on hire. Once things normalise, all the bus routes will be restored to its regular locations," he said.

The official added, "The BEST Undertaking has already issued work orders for buying new double-decker buses, which shall prove to be a pride for the city."