Mumbai : In a major boost to sustainable urban mobility, the BEST Committee on Tuesday approved the induction of 1,500 air-conditioned electric midi buses under the Government of India’s PM E-Drive Scheme. With this, the number of new bus routes will increase from existing 400 to 525 routes in near future, including revival of some of the lost routes, said a senior BEST official after the meeting. Also, these buses can now manoeuvre through narrow lanes and on hilly stretches of the city where bigger buses cannot ply.BEST general manager Sonia Sethi said that ambitious initiative also marks a significant milestone in BEST’s efforts to modernise city’s public transport network and achieve the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ target of 10,000 buses in the city by 2027, equivalent to 0.6 buses per 1,000 population.The buses are scheduled to be inducted in phases during 2026 and 2027, further strengthening BEST’s commitment to providing clean, efficient and accessible public transportation. Around 250 e-buses are likely to be inducted by December end.The proposal for procuring 1,500 electric midi buses was submitted to the Centre and received approval from Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde on October 30, 2025.Designed specifically for feeder services and last-mile connectivity, the 9-metre electric midi buses feature compact dimensions that enable smoother operations on narrow roads and in densely populated areas. With an ultra-low floor height of 400 mm, the buses offer improved accessibility for Divyang passengers, including wheelchair users. The fleet will play a crucial role in connecting commuters to metro stations, railway stations and key transit hubs across Mumbai.The new buses will be equipped with advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery technology, fully air suspension systems and fast direct current charging facilities. Passenger safety and operational efficiency have also been prioritised through the integration of modern telematics, including 360-degree CCTV surveillance, Intelligent Transport Management Systems (ITMS) and a Fire Detection and Suppression System designed to detect and control battery compartment fires.Under the approved allocation, GreenCell Mobility will supply 1,050 EKA electric buses with a seating capacity of 31-plus passengers, while Sai Green will provide 450 Switch EiV9 buses with a seating capacity of 33+1 passengers.The induction will take place in four phases of 225, 375, 450 and 450 buses respectively, with deployment across BEST depots citywide. Once operational, the fleet is expected to improve connectivity, reduce carbon emissions and provide Mumbai commuters with a safer, cleaner and more comfortable travel experience.Ends
