Mumbai: BEST Plans To Launch 500 E-Taxis And 5,000 E-Scooters To Complement Its Bus Services

By June, Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) plans to have 500 electric taxis and 5,000 electric scooters available for public use in Mumbai.

These vehicles will be integrated with its bus service to allow for easy switching between modes of transportation.

The BEST logo will be used for e-taxis. These e-taxis will be stationed near bus stops and will operate as "share cabs."

BEST will collaborate with private operators on a revenue-sharing basis to provide the services and has already floated tenders for it.

Later this month (December), the BEST has decided to launch its premium single-decker e-bus services, for which passengers will be able to reserve their seats through an app.

People can book these cabs through the Chalo app, which is currently being used for ticketing and live tracking of its buses.

BEST general manager Lokesh Chandra said that water taxis with low fares will be available from the eastern waterfront beginning next year.

"As far as our buses are concerned, we are targeting a ridership of 45 lakh, with the introduction of 2,100 single-decker buses and 900 e-double-deckers by the next financial year," said Chandra, reports Economic Times.

The BEST provides bus service to Mumbai and its surrounding areas, and has a fleet of around 3,500 buses, including more than 400 e-buses.

The transport authority has 45 non-AC double-decker diesel buses in its fleet. But they will be gradually scrapped in 2023-24, on completion of their codal life.

BEST intends to provide water taxis to and from Belapur, Jawahar Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Uran, and other locations from the jetty on the eastern coastline.

"The Maharashtra Maritime Board, Mumbai Port Trust and Shipping Ministry involved with the development of jetty/ports approached us with a proposal, asking us to take up public transport at sea. The entire operation will be carried out on a revenue-sharing model," added Chandra.

At least 10 double-decker BEST e-buses are expected to be rolled out on 14 January 2023 and the fleet will be gradually increased to 50 in the first phase.

Also Read: Maharashtra: Electric Double-Decker Buses To Ply On Mumbai Roads From January 2023