City Pulse

In an attempt to counter the rising vehicular pollution and promote eco-friendly transportation in the city, the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking introduced electric Green buses on limited routes around CST and Churchgate in November. The tiny new fleet is not only an energy efficient way of commuting, but an alternative that could be easy on BEST’s pocket, too. These buses cost less than half the cost of running diesel buses and close to half compared to cost of running Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses.

The BEST undertaking has infused a breath of fresh air to the city by rolling out non-AC, medium-sized, 32-seater electric buses, which cover only a few routes in South Mumbai - starting form CST to NCPA.

The Lithium ion battery in the ‘pure electric’ buses can run for 200 km per charge while also allowing passengers to charge their phones on journey. Noise and air pollution levels remain nil in the absence of a combustion engine. Driver gets a passenger assistance system and surveillance cameras promise security. The cost of the tickets is almost the same as diesel and CNG buses. 

However, while diesel and CNG buses cost the loss-making undertaking Rs 20 and Rs 15/km respectively, the electric buses cost only Rs 8/km. The mini buses will also be able to move comfortably through narrow lanes which will avoid traffic snarls.

A total of six buses were purchased from Goldstone Infratech Ltd​ around six months ago at a cost of Rs 9.66 crore. The service was inaugurated by Yuva Sena chief Aaditya Thackeray at Wadala Depot on November 10. 

Considering the heavy financial losses that the BEST has been going through, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had given Rs 10 crore to the undertaking for this purchase. Thackeray had pushed for these buses with the idea to promote emission-free transport in the state and had recently called upon the state transport minister Diwakar Raote to encourage the same. 

Trade union leader Shashank Rao, however, rules out the possibility of this initiative preventing more losses to the undertaking. He says, “The purchase cost of each mini bus is around Rs 1.62 crore, a regular bus costs around 54 lakhs. This new expenditure will only add onto the losses.” Rao contests that the CNG used to run many buses is a clean fuel, and hence, there is no question of pollution. “Instead of spending so much on a few mini buses, the frequency of existing CNG buses should be increased,” he adds. 

Currently, BEST operates a fleet of 3,773 buses, excluding the four electric ones. On an average, each bus makes a run of 180 km per day, so 3,773 buses cover around 6,79,140 km per day. If all buses are electric, the per day cost of running them to BEST would be around Rs 54,33,120 (at Rs 8/km), which would be much less than an approximate of Rs 1,18,84,950 (at Rs 17.5/km) that the undertaking spends daily on running these diesels and CNG buses. 

When asked if the undertaking is looking to operate only electric buses in the future, PRO Hanumant Gophane said, “As the services have only begun recently, we cannot ascertain the maintenance costs yet, but we expect the same to be minimum as these buses don't run on combustion engine.” 

Maintenance cost generally includes cleaning, repairs and towing of buses if they stop working mid-way. 

Ankit Tambe, a commuter who took the ride from Cuffe Parade to CST on an electric bus, feels these buses should be introduced on long routes as well. “The ride was smoother. The bus halts gradually without sudden jerks. These should run in the suburbs too,” he says.

​​While commuters and Yuva Sena may be seeing it as a healthy initiative for Mumbai’s lungs, how far these electric buses take Mumbaikars on their daily routines is something to wait and watch.