It’s the end of an era, as Mumbai’s classic red double-decker buses were taken off the streets from September 15, after over 8 decades of service.
On the busy streets of Mumbai, the faded red double-decker buses holding up the traffic, seemed like a permanent sight, but we were wrong. These buses are no longer plying on the streets from September 15 onwards.
This iconic symbol of Mumbai’s heritage was run by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (B.E.S.T) administration. Introduced into service in 1937, these double-decker buses peaked in the 1990s, with almost 900 of them plying across the city. Over time, the number of these vehicles gradually decreased until there were only 7 left in the fleet, as confirmed by a spokesperson from B.E.S.T. As these vehicles reached the end of their 15-year lifespan, they were permanently taken off the streets.
B.E.S.T took the decision to phase out the double-decker buses as a result of the scarcity of spare parts and their high fuel consumption, which rendered them both economically and ecologically unviable.
The retiring buses were bid a heartfelt farewell, with the final diesel-run red double-decker being adorned with garlands of flowers and balloons to mark this significant moment. As it left B.E.S.T’s Marol depot in the morning, it caught the attention of onlookers throughout the day. This was captured in a viral video, which elicited emotional responses from netizens, showcasing the strong bond they share with these buses. As many of them mourned the departure of the iconic red vehicle, business tycoon Anand Mahindra’s post grabbed most attention.
Retweeting the viral video Mahindra wrote, ““Hello, Mumbai Police? I’d like to report the theft of one of my most important childhood memories!” The Mumbai Police responded to the tweet, acknowledging the reported “theft”, but stated that they are unable to take action and suggested the billionaire to cherish the memory of those bus travels.
Mumbai’s red double-decker buses have long been an iconic aspect of the city, imbued with a sense of nostalgia and intertwined with its character. These buses have even appeared in numerous Bollywood and Hollywood films. But I guess, it is the law of nature for old things to give way to new ones, and the city has now introduced shiny new battery-operated EV double-deckers in red and black. Since February this year, these eco-friendly buses have been in operation, reflecting a global trend towards cleaner modes of transportation in response to growing environmental concerns.
However, B.E.S.T’s decision to keep one double-decker bus in its museum at the Anik depot will preserve a piece of our childhood memories for future generations to witness.
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