While BEST has consistently stuck to one design for their AC minibus fleet, the Force Motors Smart Citibus, their midibus fleet has a lot more variations. The first to enter the fleet were the BYD/Olectra electric buses, both in an AC and non-AC versions, attached to the Backbay and Kalakilla depots. The second was the CNG-powered Tata Marcopolo which was originally attached to the Mumbai Central Depot and later also reached the Deonar and Magathane depots.
Now, BEST has gone and got itself a new set of midibuses, this time electric once again. The bus this time is from Tata Motors, and is the Tata Marcopolo Starbus Ultra 9m Electric city bus. According to Tata Motors the bus is Bharat Stage VI compliant (although I don’t understand why emission standards would apply to an electric vehicle) and features a top speed of 75 km/hr with a range of 150 km under ideal conditions and a charging time of 2 to 2.5 hours with fast charging.
The bus also has an automated wheelchair ramp for the disabled. The last time BEST buses had such a feature was in the original Tata Starbus fleet that was inducted in 2004-2005 (which were later used on the Fort Pheri routes) although these were manually operated.
You can check out some images here. The bus, like the other midibuses, features a USB charging socket under the seat. It was flagged off by (sadly) Uddhav Thackeray and Aaditya Thackeray.
These buses are also on Wet Lease like the other ones, and owned by Tata Motors Limited (marked with TML on the front and the back). They’re currently attached to the Backbay Depot and run on at least one route: A-25 from Backbay Depot to Rani Laxmi Chowk (Sion).
That’s all from me for now. BEST’s new EVs look really cool!
For my first impressions of BEST’s earlier Midi and Mini-buses, do check out the following:
A Quick Review Of BEST’s Midi-Buses
BEST’s New AC Buses Are A Delight To Travel On
Also, if you’re interested in EVs as a career choice; Did You Know CoEP Has A PG Diploma In Metro Rail Tech And Electric Mobility?
Whether you’re travelling in an electric bus, a diesel bus or a CNG powered bus, don’t forget to take the basic precautions when you step out. Do wear a mask, and carry sanitizer with you.
Featured Image: BEST A-25 from Backbay Depot to Rani Laxmi Chowk (Sion) (Vishal/Twitter)
Hi. Srikanth really nice article. Just to tell you that can you please request best to start a new route from andheri to kharghar jalvayu after lock down at least. It will be a good route,and many will Benefit from this route. Just try to request best in making this route after lockdown at least. Just inform me after you have done so. Thank you!
Hi Srikanth. Nice article. Just a suggestion but can you please request best to start a new route from andheri to jalvayu vihar kharghar after the Lockdown at least? It will be a good route and many people will benefit from it. If they start this route for us, I would be grateful to best. Just try to request best for this route after lockdown atleast. Thank you!
Hi, several of us have pinged BEST about this. Let’s see. *fingers crossed*
Hi Srikanth. These buses are awesome. But they are very small so they should ply them on short routes. Last week, CM Uddhav Thackeray flagged 35 tata electric buses, 12 m. They looked ugly but were efficient and comfortable. However, these buses are only for South Mumbai. Why not try requesting Best for atleast 150 Volvos ? They could try it on corridor routes plying to thane and navi mumbai. They can earn a lot of profit through those buses. I heard that some bus fans requested best to enhance and they gave a strong reasoning for it. They listened. So why not try writing a email with a strong wording regarding you reason for the purchase of Volvo buses ? They will listen, they have suffered enough loss through non ac, ac and BKC routes and should do it atleast by beginning of 2023. I remember they used to use Mercedes bus for trials back in 2011. Merc bus would have changed best, but they went on to buy those junk ceritas. In non ac counterpart I am speechless. Old rickety buses in every lane of mumbai. They scrapped these old buses in Taloja but should have thought of replacement immediately. But it did not happen, and thats why NMMT has proved it is better than BEST in terms of buses and management. Please do request BEST to procure Volvo buses. They can do better atleast in ac if not in non ac. Really sad to see best in such a condition.
Thank you !
Great buses. But they are too small and should be used on short routes. A week ago, best flagged 35 tata electric buses 12 m at Mahim. Total were supposed to be 140 but only 35 were delivered. Other 105 are yet to be delivered. They dont look very good but it ensures a safe and comfortable ride. However, these are only for south mumbai and office routes. Why not try to request best for atleast 150 Volvo buses. They listen to the queries now. Not like before, where they used to say that the buses were bad and could not respond. Many of us wrote letters regarding the enhancing of non ac fleet and they really did what they said. They could buy and use Volvo buses on corridor routes and earn a lot of profit. In 2011, I think you dont know, BEST used Mercedes bus for AS4 and AS503, but instead of using those nice buses,they purchased more of that purple cerita trash. Now also they have scrapped old rickety non ac buses in Taloja,but they did not do any replacement for that. So they could earn a profit only by AC corridor service and that would be only the lifesaving Volvo. Even NMMT, a newbie has proved it is better than BEST in terms of buses and management . Also please revert even on that route which you had emailed on.
Finally, I can conclude that best can only regain its glory by enhancing their non ac fleet or buying Volvo buses, which would be a big relief for mumbaikars.
Please do reply back after reading this message.
Thank you !