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Mumbai's Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking is preparing to induct 1,500 air-conditioned midi buses to strengthen last-mile connectivity to metro and suburban rail stations across the city. The buses will operate primarily on feeder routes and form part of BEST's plan to expand its fleet to 7,000 buses by 2027. The move comes as Mumbai's metro network continues to grow, increasing the need for integrated public transport solutions linking residential neighbourhoods with major transit hubs.
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking is planning to add 1,500 air-conditioned midi buses to its fleet as part of a wider strategy to improve connectivity between Mumbai's expanding metro network and residential catchment areas.
The proposed induction is expected to play a key role in strengthening feeder services to metro stations, suburban railway stations and other major transport hubs. BEST aims to increase its overall fleet strength to around 7,000 buses by 2027, significantly expanding public transport coverage across the city.
According to officials, the new midi buses have been selected to serve routes where larger buses face operational challenges due to road width and traffic conditions. Their compact design will enable operations in densely populated neighbourhoods and internal roads, helping commuters access metro and rail services more conveniently.
The undertaking has reportedly completed the tendering process for the procurement and identified prospective operators under a wet-lease model. Under this arrangement, private operators will provide and maintain the buses while BEST manages route planning and passenger services. The proposed procurement is also expected to receive support under central government schemes aimed at promoting public transport and cleaner mobility solutions.
The fleet expansion aligns with Mumbai's ongoing efforts to create a more integrated urban transport system. Several metro corridors have become operational in recent years, while additional lines are under construction across the metropolitan region. Transport planners have increasingly emphasised the importance of reliable feeder services to maximise metro ridership and reduce dependence on private vehicles.
BEST has been undertaking a gradual fleet modernisation programme, with a growing focus on air-conditioned and environmentally sustainable buses. The addition of midi buses is expected to improve passenger comfort while enhancing service frequency on routes connecting neighbourhoods with major transit nodes.
The undertaking currently serves millions of commuters annually and remains a critical component of Mumbai's public transport network. Officials believe the planned fleet augmentation will help address growing travel demand, particularly in areas witnessing new metro connectivity and residential growth.
With Mumbai investing heavily in metro infrastructure, the expansion of feeder bus services is expected to support seamless multimodal travel across the city. The proposed 1,500 AC midi buses are intended to bridge the first- and last-mile gap for commuters, improving accessibility and strengthening integration between road-based public transport and rail transit systems.
As the city moves towards a larger and more interconnected mobility network, BEST's planned fleet expansion is expected to become an important part of Mumbai's broader urban transport strategy.
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