The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) on Friday launched its first electric double-decker bus that was flagged off by Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde who also took a ride in the vehicle after its inauguration.
Shinde travelled on the bus from the municipal headquarters to Louiswadi and back, experiencing the new service firsthand.
He said the introduction of the double-decker bus would make travel more comfortable and convenient for residents of Thane.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several officials, including Mayor Sharmila Pimpalolkar, Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao, District Collector Dr Shrikrishna Panchal and Deputy Mayor Krishna Patil.
The new bus marks a major step towards modern and sustainable public transport in the city, officials said.
Key features of the bus
An official statement said that the electric double-decker bus offers a modern and eco-friendly travel option with –
– Seating capacity: 65 passengers
– Standing capacity: 33 passengers
– Fully air-conditioned
– Runs on electricity, reducing pollution
Route and operations
At present, the bus will operate on the route between Teen Haath Naka and Gaimukh, covering important parts of the city.
The buses are being introduced under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, ensuring that there is no additional financial burden on the transport service, the statement said.
Expansion plans
Officials said that nine more electric double-decker buses will soon be added to the fleet, strengthening the public transport system in Thane.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to promote environmentally friendly transport solutions, they said.
Authorities noted that the electric buses will not only improve daily commuting but also offer a more pleasant travel experience for passengers.
Shinde launches Census 2026 in Thane
Meanwhile, Eknath Shinde on Friday launched the Census 2026 process in Thane district with self-enumeration.
He appealed to citizens to actively cooperate with the census to ensure accurate data collection.
At the launch event held at the Thane Municipal Corporation headquarters, Shinde carried out his own self-enumeration by scanning a QR code using a tablet.
The Census 2026 self-enumeration phase will be conducted from 1 May to 15 May. This will be followed by door-to-door data collection from 16 May to 14 June.
