Tag: Electric Buses

BEST’s New AC Electric Midis Are Here

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)

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This Is What Worli Depot Looks Like From Above (You Can Charge Electric Vehicles Here Too!)

One of the most under-rated depots under BEST is the Worli depot. It has till date never been home to any air-conditioned buses, although it sheltered the Cerita fleet during the day.

Prior to their cancellation in 2017, there were several buses operated by BEST that terminated at the National Sports Centre of India (NSCI)/Nehru Planetarium/Lotus bus stop at Worli. Originally running till Colaba Depot, they were truncated due to lack of takers. Among these were AS-2 running from Mira Road Station (East), belonging to the Magathane Depot, AS-592 from Kopar Khairane that belonged to the Deonar Depot, A-74 Express of the Oshiwara Depot that took the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, A-75 Express of the Majas Depot coming from Hiranandani Powai and A-76 Express from Gorai Depot that also took the Sea Link. While none of these buses belonged to the Worli Depot, they used to be parked at Worli during the day time. This is because most of them had a schedule where they would leave from their origin point in the morning and leave from Worli only in the evening. Few buses would have a modified route terminating at their home depots instead of their starting points during noon and would return from these depots to Worli in the early afternoon.

Now the Worli depot is also unique in its layout. There are actually two depots separated by Sasmira Marg. While the eastern half of the depot flanks Dr Narayan Hardikar Marg, its entrance is still on Sasmira Marg facing the entrance to the western half.

Latest photographs of the Depot show that it now hosts a few mini-buses, double deckers and also is a charging point for electric vehicles, not just cars.

Also Read: Switching To Electric Cars By 2030: What India Needs To Do

Anyway, getting back to the Worli Depot, here is a fantastic aerial snap of the depot clicked by Kinshuk (@pixels.of.perception on Instagram), using a drone.

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The sound we hear these days on the streets of Mumbai most frequently is the hustling and bustling sound of the BEST buses 😍 Applaud and salute to the spirit of the relentless employees of the BEST who are working day in and out to help essential service provider and frontline workers reach their destination 👏🙌🏼 – 📍 Worli Depot / Worli Aagaar – #mymumbai 🧡 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖ #PerspectivePixels #mypixeldiary #_soi #_soimumbai #indiapictures #itz_mumbai #Fromwhereidrone #Drone #aerial #maharashtra #lockdown #lockdown2020 #pandemic #mumbaipolice #BEST #coronawarriors #respect #salute #pattern #symmetry #nustaharamkhor #maibhisadakchap #whatkarlloves #quarantine #quarantineactivities #stayhome #staysafe

A post shared by Kinshuk 📍Mumbai | India (@pixels.of.perception) on

While this picture only captures the Eastern half of the depot, it still is an amazing shot. You can also see a few vehicles belonging to BEST’s Electricity Department on the bottom left hand corner of the image. There are generally cable-inspection and repair vans.

Do follow Kinshuk on Instagram here: Kinshuk 📍Mumbai | India

Anyway, here is a picture of the Mini-buses parked at the Worli Depot taken at 6am in the morning. You can also see a double-decker parked inside.

Mini-buses inside Worli Depot (Photo Credit: Mahesh Sakhalkar for BESTpedia)
Mini-buses inside Worli Depot (Photo Credit: Mahesh Sakhalkar for BESTpedia)

And here is the entrance to the bus depot with a board that designates it as a charging point with the rate of ₹8.25/unit mentioned.

The entrance to Worli Depot charging station (Picture: Mahesh Sakhalkar for BESTpedia)
The entrance to Worli Depot charging station (Picture: Mahesh Sakhalkar for BESTpedia)

Featured image: Entrance to Worli Depot by Mahesh Sakhalkar.

This depot also allows you to charge your electric vehicles!

A special thanks to Mahesh for clicking these amazing photographs for me. Also, don’t forget to share, comment and if you can support me on Patreon.

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A List Of All The AC Buses Currently Operating In Mumbai

BEST is launching newer AC buses with each week. Here is a list of all the AC buses that they operate.

Regular Routes: Mini/Midi buses using Force Motors/ Tata Marcopolo CNG/BYD Olectra buses

A-4 Andheri Station (West) to Oshiwara Depot/Goregaon Depot
A-3 Vijay Vallabh Chowk (Pydhonie) to Jijamata Udyan via Johar Chowk, Mazgaon, Byculla Station (East)
A-32 Goregaon Bus Station (West) to Aai Tuljabhavai Chowk/Lokhandwala Complex Junction/Infiniti Mall
A-33 Seven Bunglows Bus Station/Saat Bangla to Oshiwara/Goregaon Depot
A-42 Sandhurst Road Station to Pandit Paluskar Chowk (Opera House) via S.V.P Road
A-63 Byculla Station (West) to Breach Candy Hospital
A-77 Byculla Station (West) to Breach Candy Hospital via Mahalaksmi Station, Haji Ali
A-101 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Chowk/Museum
A-102 Grant Road Station (East) to Vijay Vallabh Chowk (Pydhonie)
A-104 Grant Road Station to J Mehta Marg
A-105 Grant Road Station (West) to Kamala Nehru Park
A-110 Wadala Station (West) to Sangam Nagar (Vidyalankar)
A-111 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) to Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Chowk/Museum
A-112 Churchgate Station/Ahilyabai Holkar Chowk to Gateway of India
A-122 Churchgate Station/Ahilyabai Holkar Chowk to Ballard Pier
A-153 Bycull Station (West) to Vasantrao Naik Chowk (Tardeo) via Saat Rasta, Mumbai Central
A-155 Grant Road Station (West) Ring Route via Tardeo, Haji Ali, Jaslok Hospital Cumbala Hill Post Office, August Kranti Maidan, Nana Chowk
A-157 Grant Road Station (West) to Cumbala Hill Post Office via August Kranti Maidan
A-163 Parel Station (East) to Prabodhankar Thackeray Udyan Bus Station (Sewree)
A-167 Prabhadevi Station (West) to Comrade P. K. Kurne Chowk/Worli Doordarshan
A-170 Prabhadevi Station (West) to Lower Parel Railway Station (West)
A-174 Wadala Station (East) to Bharani Naka
A-180 Oshiwara Depot/Goegaon Depot to Jogeshwari Bus Station
A-203 Andheri Station (West) to Juhu Bus Station
A-210 Versova Yari Road Bus Station to Monginis
A-211 Bandra Station (West) to Chuim Village
A-214 Bandra Station (West) to Mount Mary Steps
A-217 Dadar Station (East) Ring Route via KEM Hospital
A-217 Dadar Station (East) to KEM Hospital
A-219 Bandra Station (West) to Bandra Reclamation Bus Station
A-220 Bandra Station (West) to Sherly Village
A-221 Andehri Station (West) to Natasha Towers
A-234 Jogeshwari Bus Station to Shree Swami Samarth Nagar
A-235 Andheri Station (West) to Monginis
A-248 Andheri Station (West) to Ramesh Nagar
A-249 Andheri Station (West) to Seven Bunglows Bus Station
A-251 Seven Bunglows Bus Station to Versova Yari Road Bus Station
A-252 Andheri Station (West) to Sardar Vallabhai Patel Nagar (Mhada Layout)
A-254 Andheri Station (West) to Veera Desai Road (Extension)
A-257 Andheri Station (West) Ring Route via Juhu Vile Parle Bus Station (JVPD Bus Station)
A-260 Oshiwara Depot to Indian Oil Nagar (D. N. Nagar Metro Station)
A-266 Andheri Station (West) to Swami Samarth Nagar Circle
A-268 Andheri Station (West) to Shree Swami Samarth Nagar
A-273 Malad Station (West) to Malvani Block No 5
A-302 Rani Lakshmi Chowk (Sion) to Maharana Pratap Chowk/Mulund Check Naka
A-312 Rani Lakhsmi Chowk (Sion) to Pratiksha Nagar Depot
A-337 Agarkar Chowk to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Terminal 2
A-338 Agarkar Chowk to Sahar Cargo Complex
A-341 Rani Laksmi Chowk (Sion) to Antop Hill Bus Station
A-352 Rani Lakshmi Chowk (Sion) to Trombay
A-361 Chembur Colony to Mahul Village via Vashi Naka
A-362 Deonar Depot to Kurla Station (East)
A-363 Chembur Colony to SRA Colony (Mahul)
A-367 Chembur Colony to Gadkari Quary
A-369 Chembur Colony to MMRDA Colony/Vashi Naka
A-372 Anushakti Nagar to Shivaji Nagar Junction
A-441 Agarkar Chowk to Mhada Colony (Majas)
A-447 Goregaon Station (East) to Santosh Nagar (Extension)
A-451 Goregaon Station (East) to Adarsh Nagar (Aarey)
A-452 Goregaon Station (East) to Mayur Nagar
A-481 Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Udyan, Chembur to MMRDA Colony, Vashi Naka
A-624 Malad Station (East) Poddar Park to Anand Nagar/Appa Pada
A-646 Goregaon Station (East) to Nagari Niwara 1&2 via IT Park

BKC Routes: MMRConnect Buses using Tata Starbus Hybrid buses

BKC-10 BKC Telephone Exchange to Borivali Railway Station (East)
BKC-11 Bandra Railway Termninus to Hiranandani Estate (Thane West)
BKC-12 Bandra Railway Terminus To Jalvayu Vihar (Kharghar)
BKC-13 Bandra Railway Terminus to Maharana Pratap Chowk/Mulund Check Naka Bus Station
BKC-16 Agarkar Chowk to SEEPZ Village
BKC-21 Bandra (East) Bus Station to Bharat Diamond Bourse
BKC-22 MMRDA Pay and Park (BKC) to Kurla Station (West)
BKC-23 Bandra (East) Bus Station to C.A Institute (BKC)

NMMT AC Buses (only those entering Mumbai city limits)

AC-103 Panvel Railway Station (West) to Hindamata Cinema (Dadar)
AC-105 Bandra Railway Station (West) to CBD Belapur Bus Station
AC-107 World Trade Centre to CBD Belapur Bus Station (via Eastern Freeway)
AC-108 World Trade Centre to Nerul Sector 46/48
AC-110 World Trade Centre to Jalvayu Vihar (Kharghar)
AC-111 World Trade Centre to CBD Belapur Bus Station (via Parel, Dadar)
AC-115 World Trade Centre to Kharkopar Railway Station
AC-121 World Trade Centre to Gansoli/Gharona
AC-123 Borivali Railway Station (East) to Owe Gaon/CISF
AC-124 Agarkar Chowk to Karave Nagar, Nerul
AC-125 Borivali Railway Station (East) to Asud Depot
AC-126 Borivali Railway Station (East) to Panvel Railway Station (West)
AC-127 Ghatkopar Station (East) to Vashi Railway Station
AC-131 Borivali Railway Station (East) to Ghansoli Depot

TMT AC Buses (only those entering Mumbai city limits)

AC-65 Borivali Railway Station (East) to Thane Station (East)/Kopri
AC-125 Agarkar Chowk to Kasarvadavali Naka
AC-126 Reserve Bank of India (BKC) to Hiranandani Estate (Patlipada)
AC-144 Cadbury Junction to Mantralaya

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Featured Image: Tri-Services at Chakala (Srikanth Ramakrishnan/Twitter)

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A Quick Review Of BEST’s Midi-Buses

This last month, I took two trips on two of BEST’s Midi-buses. A Midi-bus, is a slightly larger bus than a mini-bus, a medium-sized bus to be precise. The non-AC equivalent of this is what currently plies on routes such as 627 (from Andheri Bus Station (West) to Mora Village (Juhu)). Below is an example of what it looks like.

A BEST Midi-bus running on 377 from Lallubhai Compound to Kurla Station (East), belonging to the Anik Depot. Photo: Karthik Nadar, Wikimedia Commons.
A BEST Midi-bus running on 377 from Lallubhai Compound to Kurla Station (East), belonging to the Anik Depot. Photo: Karthik Nadar, Wikimedia Commons.

Now, at this juncture, I’d like to state that BEST currently operates four different types of air-conditioned buses, all of which are of different power types. It operates Diesel-powered minibuses manufactured by Force Motors, CNG-powered midibuses manufactured by Tata Marcopolo, electric midibuses manufactured by Olectra (formerly Goldstone; in partnership with BYD) and Diesel-Electric hybrid full length buses manufactured by Tata Motors under the Starbus brand.

I took the Olectra on Route A-302 that operates from Maharana Pratap Chowk (R Mall/Mulund Check Naka Bus Station) to Rani Lakshmi Chowk (Sion Circle). The bus belongs to the Dharavi/Kala Killa depot and is owned by Olectra (identified by OL next to the depot code) on a wet lease. I boarded the bus at Sarvodaya Hospital in Ghatkopar to Sion. I took the Tata Marcopolo on A-77 from Byculla Station (West) to Breach Candy Hospital. The bus belongs to the Mumbai Central depot and belongs to SMT ATPL Associates (identified by SAA next to the depot code), again on a wet lease. I boarded this bus from Mahalakshmi Station (West) to Breach Candy.

BEST's BYD Olectra K7 bus. (Sahil pednekar/Twitter)
BEST’s BYD Olectra K7 bus. (Sahil pednekar/Twitter)

On the outside, both buses are similar in length and have two doors. The Olectra has a Centre door (that is used) while the Tata has a Rear door (rarely used). On the inside however, the Olectra has standard 2×2 seating, while the Tata has 2×1 seating similar to the minibuses. It has 2 seats per row behind the driver and one on the left. Both buses do have a bell pull, on the left side like the regular buses. The Force minibuses have their bellpull on the right side however.

BEST's Tata Marcopolo CNG buses (Srikanth Ramakrishnan)
BEST’s Tata Marcopolo CNG buses (Srikanth Ramakrishnan)

Except on the rows with emergency exits (penultimate seats), both buses have USB charging points inside them. While Olectra has them at the waist level, Tata has them below the seat, much like the charging points in long distance buses.

At this point, I’d like to say, please note: While charging your phones in public spaces, keep phones on flight mode. There are numerous reports of Juice Jacking going around. Juice Jacking reports to using the USB port of your device at an unsecured, public charging point to steal data. Of course, it is reassuring that Mikko Hyppönen of F-Secure said that Juice Jacking is theoretically possible but is never seen practically.

Interior of the Olectra (Srikanth Ramakrishnan)
Interior of the Olectra (Srikanth Ramakrishnan)

The air-conditioning on the Tata is far ahead of the Olectra. At some point between Ghatkopar and Sion, it became stuffy inside the Olectra and that is not a good sign at all.

The interior of the Tata Marcopolo CNG (Srikanth Ramakrishnan)
The interior of the Tata Marcopolo CNG (Srikanth Ramakrishnan)

BEST has also launched the Olectra on A-352D. Non-AC versions of the Olectra also operate on 302 that shares the same route as A-302. The Tata CNG also operates on A-155 from Grant Road Station (West) as a Ring Route via Tardeo, Haji Ali, Jaslok Hospital, Cumbala Hill Post Office, August Kranti Maidan and Nana Chowk.

BEST also launched A-218 from Dadar Station (East) to KEM Hospital via Phalke Road, Hindmata Cinema on Dr B. R. Ambedkar Road. Presumably this belongs to the Wadala Depot. I also took a ride on A-112 from Ahilyabai Holkar Chowk/Churchgate Railway Station to the Gateway of India. The minibus is attached to the Colaba Depot and is owned by PNM Transport and Mobility Limited, identified as PNM on the body of the bus.

That’s all from me for this time. Till next time, keep taking the bus..

Featured image: BEST’s Tata Marcopolo CNG midibus (Left) and BYD Olectra Electric Midibus (Right) [Srikanth Ramakrishnan]

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A Bright Future Ahead for Electric Buses in India

Swiss Group ABB has come up with a rather grand plan to make India a completely electric vehicle nation in 12 years (2030). It has even announced its intention to supply buses that can be charged in 15 seconds.

Last year, Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that 1.5lakh buses operated by various state-operated transport undertakings (STUs) were to be converted to electric buses in a bid to save some money on its Rs. 8lakh crore crude imports.

The aim of this flash-charging technology is to enable buses to operate with smaller batteries. In August 2016, ABB India Managing Director Sanjiv Sharma had said that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had given its green signal to operate buses with the new technology on a pilot basis. Minister Nitin Gadkari had stated that these buses could be charged at night at Rs. 3.5 per unit of electricity as compared to Rs. 50-60 for a litre of diesel.

These buses would be charged at bus stations using a mechanical arm which charges only when a bus is connected. Further, it eliminates overheard wires and charges while passengers are boarding and disembarking.

ABB is partnering with Volvo buses to operate these buses in 13 cities across the country.

ABB is also planning a launch in December in Geneva, in partnership with Public-Transport operator TGP to operate 12 such buses across a 14km long stretch.

 

The National Electricity Mission Plan 2020 has identified the need to replace large batteries with smaller ones and use rapid-charging technologies to make it possible. The potential demand for Electric Buses is pegged at approximately 2500 buses by 2020.

 

Ashok Leyland, meanwhile has unveiled what it calls the first ‘Indigenous Electric’ bus manufactured in India. The Circuit series of buses, will be offered with a subsidy under the Central Government’s Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid) and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme and can travel 150km on a single charge.

 

FAME, as part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan, aims to put close to 7 million electric and hybrid vehicles on the roads by 2016.

 

As stated earlier, The Future of Urban Transport is the Bus. Buses are more effective than other mass transit projects because they are cheaper, faster to procure and do not involve dedicated large-scale construction. The only thing a bus requires is a road and a bus station, which is why it forms the basic rung of public transport.
While the new buses will certainly be a game-changer in the field of transport, they will also be a big boost for Make In India. These buses will form a totally different market and will require a separate workforce to research, design and develop them, along with the supporting infrastructure. Ultimately, it will result in a massive employment surge while also providing an export market for completed buses.

The future of buses in India is certainly a bright one, one spark can ignite a fire. One bus can change the future.

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