Mumbai's public transport body, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has found itself in a bind as private company Causis E-Mobility failed to deliver on its contract to supply 700 electric double-decker buses. The contract has hit a roadblock as not a single bus or prototype has arrived. This has put BMC's plan on hold.
While Causis E-Mobility struggles with its commitment, Switch Mobility has managed to deliver only 24 out of the 200 electric double-decker buses it was contracted for.
In response to the breach of contract, BEST has issued a blacklisting notice to Causis E-Mobility. This move is also a measure to safeguard BEST's reputation, which has been negatively impacted by the delays.
For the total supply of 900 electric double-decker buses, 700 were given to Causis E-Mobility. The rest of the 200 double-decker e-buses were given to Switch Mobility.
These new buses have several advantages. It includes air conditioning, a capacity for 90 passengers, and a minimum fare of INR 6 per 5-kilometre trip.
The awaited buses are set to run on routes connecting prominent areas like Nariman Point, Cuffe Parade, CSMT, Gateway, RC Church, Tardeo, Juhu, Andheri, and Bandra Kurla Complex. They are expected to hit the streets as soon as the RTO registration procedures are completed.
BEST is also considering expanding the routes for these buses to better serve the city's commuters. Each of these buses comes with a price tag of approximately INR 2 crore. BEST leases them at a rate of INR 56 per kilometre.
Currently operating with a fleet of 3062 buses and catering to about 30 lakh daily passengers, BEST is projected to receive 2100 single-decker AC e-buses by March of next year. However, to meet the city's burgeoning transport needs, the project requires a total of 5500–6000 buses.
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