Mumbai Gets Its First Eco-Friendly Electric Bus!
Mulund: Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) launched its first-of-its-kind Eco-Friendly – ‘E-Buzz K7′ Electric Buses in Mumbai on Tuesday, 10, September 2019. Laced with state-of-the-art technology the bus has multiple features that have appealed to Mumbaikars.
Elated at the experience of travelling in the latest Electric Buses, Nikhil Anand, a regular commuter, told Home Times, “The new Electric Bus is a commendable initiative by BEST. Besides an ideal solution to solve the rising environmental pollution, the bus is quite economical. Despite being air-conditioned, the tickets are affordable. The minimum fare is Rs. 6 while maximum fare is just Rs. 25/- Hence, even the common man can now travel in AC buses.”
Drawing attention to the shortcomings of the bus, Nikhil said, “Though the bus is great and will be a boon for commuters during the summer season, the major problem is that, despite being 9 meters long the bus has a limited capacity of just 32 passengers. What is worse is that half the seats are reserved for ladies, senior citizens and the disabled. Also, the corridor has less space, hence only a few passengers can stand.”
Informing about the bus in detail, a BEST official told, “BEST has launched 10 electric buses. Six buses are air-conditioned, while 4 are non- air-conditioned. These buses will operate on Route no. 302 i.e. between Maharana Pratap Chowk (Mulund Check Naka ) to Pratiksha Nagar (Sion). Besides, BEST has also launched a mobile App called BEST Pravas. Thus, like the local trains, commuters can now track the buses on any route and catch them as per their ease.”
The official added, “The E-Buzz K7 electric buses can cover a distance of 170 km to 180 km in a single charge with speeds up to 70 kmph. The buses work on fire-proof lithium iron phosphate batteries. The batteries need charging after every 3 to 4 hours but the best part is that these batteries have no charging cost. A charging station has been set up at Dharavi.”
Sharing an important secret about the electric bus, the official said, “The bus does not have a gear system, hence the pick-up and breaking is smooth.” “By the end of one month, BEST plans to increase the number of electric buses from 10 to 40. Further, soon BEST plans to extend the bus services to Thane, Trombay and Tardeo, the official notified.
Major Facilities of Electric Bus
For better surveillance, each bus has 3 CCTV cameras. One CCTV camera is installed at the front panel for the driver to keep a watch. 2 CCTV cameras are installed inside the bus. The control room can also access the bus in motion.
A button facility is provided that enables an additional step facility for disabled or senior citizens/ pregnant ladies to board the bus.
A panic button is also provided to alert the driver/commuters in case of an emergency. Besides, a ‘stop’ button facility is also available to bring the bus to a grinding halt during an emergency.
Available Emergency Exit Door facility
Hammer to break doors during an emergency.
USB Port charging plug facility is provided between every two seats.
Availability of fire fighting system and First-Aid box
Meanwhile, Mumbaikars are very happy with the electric bus. Mohammad Azharuddin, a regular bus commuter, told Home Times, “I travel daily from Mulund to Mangatram Petrol Pump. The experience of travelling on the electric bus was fantastic. Unlike the regular bus, the cosy and classy ambience of the electric bus is first-rate.” “Further, the introduction of the BEST Pravas mobile App is very useful. We can reach the bus stop by tracking the App. Besides, many times we forget our important things in the bus, but with this BEST Pravas App we can complain and retrieve our things,” he asserted.
Affordable Fare
Air-Conditioned Bus
Minimum Rate Rs 6/ (up to 5 km)
Maximum Rs 25/-
Non-Air-Conditioned Bus
Minimum Rate Rs 5/ (up to 5 km)
Maximum Rs 20/-
The route of 302 Bus
Rani Lakshmi Chowk / Sion Railway Station, Kurla Depot, Ghatkopar, Vikhroli, Gandhi Nagar, Huma Cinema (Kanjurmarg), Mangatram Petrol Pump, Bhandup Station West, Dr K.B. Hedgewar Chowk, Ralli Wolf, Mulund Depot, ESIS Hospital, Veena Nagar and Maharana Pratap Chowk Naka.
