Mumbai's iconic double-deckers to take final ride on September 15

MUMBAI: The iconic double-deckers will fade into oblivion on September 15, as BEST will phase out the five remaining buses in its fleet, a spokesperson from the transport undertaking said on Monday.
The open-deck double-deckers, which are a hit with tourists for joyrides to Gateway India and along Marine Drive, will also be phased out by October 5.
An official said BEST plans to introduce electric AC double-deckers on tourist routes and 18 more AC double-deckers - 10 for suburbs and eight for south Mumbai - soon.
"A few decades ago, double-decker buses dominated roads in the island city, while single-deckers primarily operated in the suburbs. This was when the twin-deck bus fleet was as high as 242. But sadly, they will be phased out," said historian Deepak Rao, adding that he did not like the new AC 'avatar'. "There is no fun jumping into the bus and rushing for the upper deck front row seats anymore. I just wish BEST re-introduces a small fleet of non-AC double-deckers."
In 2010, the double-decker fleet was reduced to 122, and it was further cut to 120 in 2017. BEST, in its annual budget in 2019, had recommended scrapping 72 double-deckers by 2020-21, which brought down the fleet to 48 buses.
Regular commuter Gandharva Purohit said a group of bus aficionados had hired a double-decker for a joyride via Bandra-Worli sea link to south Mumbai and on Marine Drive and Gateway of India on July 8. "It was a nostalgic ride. We will certainly miss these lovely giant buses of Mumbai," he said.
Another commuter Ninad Kulkarni recalled: "The breeze hitting your face on the upper deck front seat along with a panoramic view of Marine Drive was a cool experience." A senior BEST official said they may consider re-introducing a small fleet of twin-deck buses in the near future.