The daily life of Mumbaikars is returning to the schedule, and post the coronavirus outbreak, several activities have resumed in the city, due to which people have started travelling in buses.
BEST has been running buses in the city amidst the pandemic, and it has been the only mode of transport available for the people. Observing the rush and increasing number of passengers, authorities have decided to add 40 electric buses (eco-friendly) in its fleet, and the decision has been made keeping the environment in mind.
Meanwhile, special grants are being given for electric buses in various states across the country under the central government's proposed scheme, following which the state government has taken a decision to add these buses to the existing routes.
About 300 electric buses have been introduced in BEST's fleet under the scheme, and they will be distributed among BEST, ST, Navi Mumbai Transport Services across Maharashtra. Besides this, other cities like Rajkot, Surat and Chandigarh have also introduced 670 electric buses under this initiative, with an aim to create awareness about the eco-friendly mode of transport.
The 'Fame' (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme has been drawn up under the Union Ministry of Heavy Industries. Accordingly, states will be offered subsidies for electric buses. At present, BEST has 3,500 buses in its fleet, to which electric buses will be added in several phases. Currently, BEST has six electric buses of its own and 32 buses have been hired.
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