Mumbai’s iconic double-decker buses are set to make a bigger comeback after the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Committee approved a revised payment structure for the remaining 150 air-conditioned electric double-decker buses ordered from Switch Mobility Automotive Ltd.
The decision is expected to resolve a contractual dispute that had delayed the delivery of the buses for more than two years.
BEST had originally awarded Switch Mobility a contract to supply and operate 200 electric double-decker buses under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model. So far, the company has delivered 50 buses, while the remaining 150 were held up over disagreements regarding the operating rate.
The BEST Committee has now approved an increase of ₹3.65 per kilometre for the remaining buses. This will take the revised GCC rate to approximately ₹60.25 per kilometre.
According to the proposal, the increase includes:
The revised rate will be incorporated into the existing contract, allowing Switch Mobility to resume manufacturing and delivery.
The buses will continue to operate under the existing 12-year contract. Following the committee’s approval, BEST is expected to formally communicate the revised terms to Switch Mobility, after which the company will submit a fresh manufacturing and delivery schedule.
Officials indicated that deliveries could begin in batches towards the end of 2026.
The supply had been stalled since December 2024 because of technical and contractual concerns. The matter was subsequently examined through legal and technical channels, with the technical committee recommending a revision of the per-kilometre payment in line with a Central government notification.
The electric double-decker buses are designed to provide a more comfortable and environmentally friendly travel experience. The proposed buses will include several passenger-focused features, including:
The addition of these buses is expected to increase seating capacity on some of Mumbai’s busiest routes, where passenger demand frequently exceeds available capacity.
BEST Committee Chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao has also suggested converting a small number of the buses into open-deck semi-air-conditioned vehicles.
The proposal could see around five to seven buses adapted for sightseeing and tourism. Such services could offer passengers and tourists a different way to experience Mumbai while also supporting the city’s tourism potential.
The latest approval is part of BEST’s broader strategy to increase the use of electric buses and reduce dependence on conventional diesel-powered vehicles.
BEST currently operates around 2,800 buses, although only a little over 200 are owned directly by the undertaking. A large proportion of its fleet is operated through private contractors under GCC and wet-lease arrangements.
The undertaking carries approximately 25 lakh passengers every day, making fleet expansion important for meeting Mumbai’s growing public transport demand.
BEST also plans to add more air-conditioned electric single-decker and double-decker buses in the coming months, with instructions already issued to several suppliers.
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