Double-decker buses
From Britain, the double-deckers spread to other cities around the world, one of them being Mumbai where the bus was launched in 1937. In Mumbai as in London, the big red buses endeared themselves to the public. Children gazed in wonder, and longed to sit in the upper deck in the front row; commuters waiting in long queues heaved sighs of relief every time they saw a double-decker coming their way. The big red buses soon became an integral part of the city’s roadscape. They became synonymous with the city itself, etching themselves into the collective memory of its residents and tourists, apart from being featured in Indian and Hollywood movies in the vibrant metropolis.
In 2004, when BEST (Brihan Mumbai Electric Supply and Transport) announced that it was thinking of replacing the buses with single-deckers, there was a howl of protest from citizens. The company was flooded with phone calls and letters. One Mumbaikar wrote, “We love double-deckers. Don’t take them away. They are the identity of Mumbai.” Bowing to public opinion, BEST decided not only not to withdraw the buses but also to replace the older double-deckers with brand new ones.
Now after 86 years in service, the story of the city’s iconic hot wheels came to an end. This is largely due to its high maintenance cost and difficulty in maneuvering through the crowded streets.
After serving various routes across Mumbai, these non-air-conditioned double-decker buses bid adieu to daily commuters and tourists on Friday, September 15 night as the BEST authorities decided to phase out the buses as part of ‘modernisation’ and operational cost.
The last service of these non-AC double-decker buses left Marol Depot on Friday morning. These iconic buses can now be seen at a museum in the city as new mode of transport takes prominence.
