Mumbai: New BEST buses introduced without mandatory colour scheme approval

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The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has not got mandatory approval for the colour scheme of its new double-decker electric buses and dark blue premium buses.

According to the officials, the approval of the State Transport Authority (STA), is complusory whenever a new type of a public transport bus -- to which the stage carriage permit is issued -- is introduced.

The BEST officials told PTI that the BEST undertaking has received around 30 double-decker e-buses from Switch Mobility, and more than 60 single-decker dark blue buses. Recently it had also come to light that the Tardeo Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Mumbai and Vashi RTO in Navi Mumbai registered about two dozen double-decker e-buses as "signal red" though they actually have a red and black exterior.

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A transport department officer told PTI that the BEST has not applied to the STA for approval for their colour schemes.

Jitendra Patil, the additional transport commissioner who also holds charge as secretary to the STA, told PTI that the authority has not received any application from BEST for approval in the last one year. The STA needs to approve the colour scheme of public transport buses because these buses need to be easily identifiable from a distance.

According to the BEST spokesperson, it is the responsibility of private bus operators from whom these buses have been hired on wet lease. "RTO registration is the responsibility of the bus owner," he said.

Meanwhile, the state transport commissioner is going to seek a report from RTOs which registered double-decker e-buses as "signal red" though their actual colour is different. "On the basis of the report, action will be initiated against responsible persons," said Vivek Bhimanwar, transport commissioner told PTI.

(with inputs from PTI)