Last diesel-run double-decker bus of Mumbai drives into history
diesel-run double-decker bus of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, commuters and staffers reminisced about their journey in the iconic red vehicle that became a symbol of the city itself. «Hello, Mumbai Police? I'd like to report the theft of one of my most important childhood memories,» wrote industrialist Anand Mahindra on 'X', echoing the loss felt by many Mumbaikars.
The bus started its final trip on route 415 from the Andheri railway station to SEEPZ village in the western suburbs around 11.05 pm on Friday.
After reaching the destination, it headed for Marol depot of BEST.
«I had a memorable journey with the double-decker bus for 15 years. It was 'Mumbai ki shaan' (Mumbai's pride) and we are not going to see it again.
We distributed old tickets to commuters during the final trip as a special ticket,» said Gopal Sutake, the conductor of the 415 route bus.
The era of red diesel-run double-deckers, introduced on the city streets 86 years ago, thus came to an end. New, shiny red-and-black battery-operated (EV) double-deckers have already begun to ply since February this year.
However, three open-deck diesel-run double-deckers used for sightseeing tours in South Mumbai are still in operation.
These buses will go off the road on October 5, BEST officials said.
Decorated with garlands of flowers and balloons, the last diesel-run double-decker rolled out of BEST's Marol depot on Friday morning and caught the eyeballs throughout the day. People were seen clicking photos and selfies inside and outside the bus.
«Bye bye #doubledecker buses.
a lovely way to travel parts of the city. Nothing compares on the road not even my #Audi #Mumbai,» wrote Anand Sivashankar on 'X'.
Members of the commuter
