In a sharp turn of events, the BEST committee on Tuesday took up the issue of three rotting double-decker buses lying under the JJ flyover, previously highlighted by mid-day, and suggested bringing them back on the roads via heritage routes. The discussion comes at a symbolic time, as BEST marks 100 years of bus operations in Mumbai.
What triggered the move
Raising a point of order, BEST committee member Ajay Singh called out the condition of the buses:
“I visited the area and found that these buses are just standing there without any purpose and getting damaged and ruined. The area has become a hub of druggies and unsafe. It is all giving a bad name to the BEST undertaking,” Singh said.
Iconic BEST double-decker parked near JJ Junction. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
He proposed reviving them: “I suggest that we take back these buses and put them in operation. We can take special permission and run them on heritage routes where these buses can be easily operated.” BEST chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao accepted the suggestion and directed the administration to examine the proposal and respond.
Funding push
Demand to BMC: Rs 4000 crore
Purpose:
>> Clear pending gratuity dues
>> Support operational expansion
“We have requested a one-time fund to pull BEST out of financial peril,” Sethi said.
Recruitment restarts
After a long pause, BEST has resumed hiring to stabilise operations.
Officials say a “studied approach” is being adopted for long-term recovery.
Existing fleet stays
>> Own buses: 249
>> Operational life left: ~7 years
“The fleet will not decline further now; only additions will happen,” an official said.
The financial reality
Accumulated losses: Rs 9500 crore
Monthly BMC support: Rs 100 crore
BEST continues to rely heavily on subsidies and loans to function.
BEST General Manager Sonia Sethi
The backstory: From ‘beautification’ to a pile of junk
Year introduced: 2021 beautification project
Number of buses: 3 double-deckers
Original depot: Marol
Status: Retired after 15 years of service
The buses were redesigned as:
>> Cafeteria
>> Library
>> Art gallery
They were placed in BMC’s B ward (Kalbadevi, Masjid Bunder, Bhendi Bazaar areas).
But residents say the plan has failed:
>> Buses lie unused
>> Structures deteriorating
>> Area turning unsafe
Voices
Ramniraj Dubey, Activist
‘Finally, some momentum at BEST. A bigger fleet and fresh hiring could mean shorter waits and less overcrowding. If funding flows on time, this could be the turnaround Mumbai has been waiting for’
Dhiraj Singh, Bus enthusiast
‘Good news on paper, but execution is everything. Will the 2500 buses actually hit the roads on schedule? And can BEST sustain operations without slipping back into losses?’
Gautam Shirke, Commuter
‘After years of decline, BEST finally shows signs of life. Restarting recruitment is a big signal. A stronger workforce means better service, but training and retention will decide if this revival sticks’
Shubham Padave, Bus fan
‘Old diesel powered double-decker buses were roaring lions on the streets of Mumbai. Recently, Keralam revived their vintage bus as a part of heritage, referring to which BEST should also make all six double-decker buses (3 from JJ Flyover + 3 from scrapyard) operational on the streets of Mumbai for tourism purposes by getting special permissions from the Transport Department of Maharashtra’
Revival begins at BEST
After years of decline, the undertaking is showing signs of recovery:
Fleet expansion plan
Current fleet: 2500 buses
Target (short term): 5000
Long-term goal: 7000
“For FY 2026-27, deliveries under the PM e-Drive scheme are projected at 2200-2500 buses,” BEST General Manager Sonia Sethi said. “Realistically, over 2000 buses are expected by year-end,” she added.
The cost
Total spent: Rs 69.23 lakh
Current value: Effectively junk
Residents have demanded their removal, calling them a “nuisance”
