Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport

{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2025}}

The idea of a mass public transport system for Bombay was first put forward in 1865 by an American company, which applied for a licence to operate a horse-drawn tramway system. Although a licence was granted, the project was never realized due to the prevailing economic depression in the city brought on by the end of the American Civil War, during which Bombay had made vast strides in its economy by supplying cotton and textiles to the world market. The tender was abandoned in 1871.

{{More citations needed|section|date=February 2025}}

The Bombay Tramway Company Limited (BTC) was formally set up in 1873. After the signing of a contract between BTC, the municipality, and Stearns and Kitteredge, the Bombay Presidency enacted the Bombay Tramways Act, 1874, under which the company was licensed to run a horsecar tramway service in the city.{{cite book |title=Quarterly journal of the Local Self Government Institute (Mumbai) |chapter=Growth of Mumbai & its Municipal Corporation |year=1976 |page=13}} On 9 May 1874, the first horse-drawn tram made its debut, plying the Colaba–Pydhone route via Crawford Market, and Bori Bunder to Pydhonie via Kalbadevi. The initial fare was three annas (15 paise) , and no tickets were issued. As the service became increasingly popular, the fare was reduced to two annas (10 paise). Later that year, tickets were issued for the first time to curb increasing ticketless travel.{{cite book |title=Mumbai, the city of dreams: a history of the first city in India |last=David |first=M. D. |year=1995 |publisher=Himalaya Publishing House |pages=199–200}} Stearns and Kitteredge reportedly had a stable of 900 horses when tram service began.

In 1882, the municipality entered into an agreement with the Eastern Electric Light and Power Company to provide electric lighting in the Crawford Market and on some roads. The company went into liquidation the following year, however, and the market reverted to gas lighting. In 1899, BTC applied to the municipality for operation of electrically operated trams. Due to the high investment required, the company suggested that the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) should waive its right to take over the tramways, which was to take place in 1901 according to the Bombay Tramways Act. Instead, the BMC decided to take over the company but was met with several legal problems. In 1904, the British Electric Traction Company applied for a license to supply electricity to the city. The Brush Electrical Engineering Company was its agent. It got the "Bombay Electric License" on 31 July 1905 signed by BTC, the Bombay municipality, and its agent, the Brush Electrical Company.

File:BEST-early-trams.jpg

File:BEST-gas-lamp.jpg

In 1905, the Bombay Electric Supply & Tramway Company Limited (BEST) was formed and was granted a monopoly for electric supply and the running of an electric tram service in the city. It bought the assets of the Bombay Tramway Company for {{INR}}{{formatnum:9850000}}.{{cite web |url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap05.asp |title=Electricity Arrives in Mumbai |publisher=BEST Undertaking |access-date=12 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011063810/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap05.asp |archive-date=11 October 2006 }} Two years later, in 1907, the first electric tram debuted in the city. Later that year, a {{convert|4300|kW|hp}} steam power generator was commissioned at Wari Bunder. In 1916, the Tata Power group began purchasing power, and by 1925, all power generation was outsourced from Tata.{{cite web |url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap04.asp |title=Electricity Arrives in Mumbai |publisher=BEST Undertaking |access-date=12 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061008192531/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap04.asp |archive-date=8 October 2006 }} The passing years aggravated the problem of rush-hour traffic, and to ease the situation, double-decker trams were introduced in September 1920.

File:Bombay B E S & T Co. Ltd. 1 Anna Token.jpg

File:BEST-first-bus-1926.jpg

Since 1913, the company had been considering starting a motorised bus service. The main factor against its introduction was the high accident rate for a similar service in London. After years of debate, the company came to a decision on 10 February 1926 to start a bus service later that year. Bombay saw its first bus run on 15 July 1926, between Afghan Church and Crawford Market. Despite stiff opposition and protests by taxi drivers, the service ran without a hitch, transporting 600,000 passengers by the end of that year. The following year, the number had increased to 3.8 million. In response to pleas by the government and the Bombay Municipal Corporation, the company extended its services to the northern part of the city in 1934. The Indian independence movement's call for mass nonviolent strikes and general civil disobedience led to regular service disruptions, causing the company to incur huge losses in 1929. The following year was a particular bad one for the company, in the wake of the Great Depression. To remain solvent, it decided to introduce discounted fares for short routes and increase its coverage to the northern portions of the city. In 1937, the introduction of double-decker buses proved extremely popular.

File:Best-doubledecker-tram.jpg, in 1920]]

{{More citations needed|section|date=February 2025}}

Pursuant to the option given to it under the deed of concession granted to the Bombay Electric Supply and Tramways Co. Ltd, the BMC acquired the assets of the combined undertaking, namely the operation of tramways and distribution of electricity in the city of Bombay as a going concern on 7 August 1947. By mutual agreement, the corporation also took over the operation of bus services, which were run by the Bombay Electric Supply & Transport Company. Thus, the Bombay Electric Supply & Tramways Company was renamed Bombay Electric Supply & Transport.{{cite web|url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap03.asp |title=Motor-Bus Appears |publisher=BEST Undertaking |access-date=12 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115024212/http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap03.asp |archive-date=15 January 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap05.asp |title=B.E.S.&T. Company |publisher=BEST Undertaking |access-date=12 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011063810/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap05.asp |archive-date=11 October 2006 }}

As the company grew, it increased its fleet from 242 to 582 buses over the next decade. In 1949, it took over the Bandra Bus Company, which used to operate in Bombay's suburbs.{{cite web |url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap07.asp |title=Progress of the Bus Service |publisher=BEST Undertaking |access-date=12 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011193451/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap07.asp |archive-date=11 October 2006}} In 1951, the electricity division switched over from direct current (DC) to the more efficient alternating current (AC). The company launched its services in the eastern suburbs in 1955. That year, the undertaking and private operators went to court with BEST, asking for a complete closure of the private companies. The case dragged on for four years before the Supreme Court of India granted the organisation a complete monopoly over bus services in the Greater Bombay area. In 1964, due to high operational costs and poor public support, its long-running tram services were terminated.{{cite web |url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap08.asp |title=Alternative modes of Transport |publisher=BEST Undertaking |access-date=12 October 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061006092503/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap08.asp |archive-date=6 October 2006}} The company became the first in the country to issue computerised billing in 1974. In 1994, it introduced electronic meters in a move to replace the less accurate electric meters.

A notable chairman of BEST during the 1970s was Kisan Mehta, who was known for his social activism.{{cite news|title=Activist Kisan Mehta passes away|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/activist-kisan-mehta-passes-away/articleshow/46508975.cms|access-date=1 January 2024|work=Times of India|date=9 March 2015}}

{{More citations needed|section|date=February 2025}}

With the renaming of the city from Bombay to Mumbai in 1995, the organization was rebranded as Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST). Following a Supreme Court directive, the company gradually phased out old buses and introduced new ones that complied with Euro III pollution control standards.{{cite web |url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap12.asp |title=Electric Supply |publisher=BEST Undertaking |access-date=12 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061009032917/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap12.asp |archive-date=9 October 2006 |url-status=dead}} On 19 November 2004, route SPL-8, travelling from Churchgate to the World Trade Centre, began accepting cashless smart cards for automatic fare collection on BEST buses.

File:India.Mumbai.02.jpg]]

File:BEST-bus-front.jpg-powered BEST bus]]

File:Mumbai BEST Mini Feeder Bus 2020.jpg

In 1936, the company owned 433 trams and 128 buses.{{cite book |title=World Survey of Foreign Railways |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HxHLQGfxDa0C&pg=RA17-PA25 |year=1936 |publisher=Transportation Division, Bureau of foreign and domestic commerce, Washington D.C.|language=English |page=226d}}

{{As of|2023|May}}, BEST had a fleet of 3,228 buses. This comprised 525 diesel single-decker buses, 2,250 CNG buses, 406 battery electric single-decker buses, 45 diesel double-decker buses, and 7 battery electric double-decker buses.{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=S |date=4 May 2023 |title=BEST's daily bus ridership falls by 2 lakh, fleet size shrinks 11% |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/bests-daily-bus-ridership-falls-by-2-lakh-fleet-size-shrinks-11/articleshow/99973036.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504180748/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/bests-daily-bus-ridership-falls-by-2-lakh-fleet-size-shrinks-11/articleshow/99973036.cms |archive-date=4 May 2023 |access-date=4 May 2023 |website=The Times of India}} Due to the National Vehicle Scrappage Policy, under which all government-owned vehicles older than 15 years are to be scrapped from 1 April 2023, BEST's fleet would be replaced by new vehicles running on alternative fuels.{{Cite web |date=30 January 2023 |title=9 lakh govt vehicles, buses older than 15 yrs to be scrapped from Apr 1: Gadkari |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/auto/cars/9-lakh-govt-vehicles-buses-older-than-15-yrs-to-be-scrapped-from-apr-1-gadkari/articleshow/97449329.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202202417/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/auto/cars/9-lakh-govt-vehicles-buses-older-than-15-yrs-to-be-scrapped-from-apr-1-gadkari/articleshow/97449329.cms |archive-date=2 February 2023 |access-date=4 May 2023 |website=The Times of India}}{{Cite web |last=Rao |first=S |date=3 May 2023 |title=Most BEST double-decker buses to be phased out by year end |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/mumbai-bids-adieu-to-iconic-double-decker-buses-as-40-out-of-45-are-set-to-be-phased-out-by-year-end-due-to-safety-reasons-101683053775239-amp.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230503230401/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/mumbai-bids-adieu-to-iconic-double-decker-buses-as-40-out-of-45-are-set-to-be-phased-out-by-year-end-due-to-safety-reasons-101683053775239-amp.html |archive-date=3 May 2023 |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=Hindustan Times}}

The company placed a {{INRConvert|36750000000}} order with Olectra Greentech to supply and maintain 2,100 battery electric single-decker buses for a 12-year period in May 2022.{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=M |date=24 May 2022 |title=BEST inks Rs 3,675 crore deal, India's biggest, to get 2,100 e-buses in 12 months |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/best-inks-3675cr-deal-indias-biggest-to-get-2100-e-buses-in-12-mths/articleshow/91752581.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220710013722/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/best-inks-3675cr-deal-indias-biggest-to-get-2100-e-buses-in-12-mths/articleshow/91752581.cms |archive-date=10 July 2022 |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=The Times of India}} In February 2023, India's first battery electric double-decker AC bus was deployed by BEST on the A-115 route,{{Cite web |last=Sen |first=S |date=21 February 2023 |title=Country's first electric double-decker bus launched on CSMT-NCPA route in Mumbai |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/countrys-first-electric-double-decker-launched-on-csmt-ncpa-route-in-mumbai/articleshow/98110269.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316111311/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/countrys-first-electric-double-decker-launched-on-csmt-ncpa-route-in-mumbai/articleshow/98110269.cms |archive-date=16 March 2023 |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=The Times of India}} one of 200 Switch EiV 22 models from Switch Mobility.{{Cite news |date=18 August 2022 |title=Switch Mobility unveils India's first electric double-decker air-conditioned bus |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/switch-mobility-unveils-countrys-first-electric-double-decker-air-conditioned-bus/articleshow/93635213.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818082244/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/switch-mobility-unveils-countrys-first-electric-double-decker-air-conditioned-bus/articleshow/93635213.cms |archive-date=18 August 2022 |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=The Economic Times}} The target was to have a fully electric fleet by 2027.

BEST also operates goods-carrying buses, breakdown vans, sightseeing and party buses, tree-cutting double-decker buses, and driving school buses for training drivers. All buses have GPS devices installed, which provide real-time information to management as well as passengers. Inside the buses, there are LED indicators displaying route and destination as well as upcoming stop names.Mumbai Mirror [http://www.mumbaimirror.com/mumbai/cover-story/King-Long-buses-that-keep-breaking-down-are-not-King-Longs/articleshow/16233184.cms article] published on 29 August 2012

In April 2022, BEST rolled out the "Tap in and Tap out" ticketing system, making Mumbai the first city in India to get fully digital buses.{{cite news |title=Mumbai to Become First City in the Country to Get 100% Digital Buses with Tap in, Tap Out Facility |url=https://www.india.com/maharashtra/mumbai-becomes-first-city-to-get-100-digital-buses-with-tap-in-tap-out-facility-brihanmumbai-electric-supply-and-transport-buses-chalo-mobile-app-5347086/ |publisher=India.com |date=19 April 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Rao |first1=Shashank |title=Tap-in/tap-out ticketing to start this week, BEST passengers will have to board bus from front; watch video |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-tap-intap-out-ticketing-to-start-this-week-best-passengers-will-have-to-board-bus-from-front-watch-video |publisher=The Free Press Journal |date=18 April 2022}}

BEST bus routes are spread citywide and extend to the neighbouring cities of Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Mira-Bhayandar.{{cite news|title=A timeline of BEST buses in Mumbai |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report-a-timeline-of-best-buses-in-mumbai-1854866 |date=29 June 2013 |work=Daily News and Analysis |location=Mumbai |access-date=11 March 2015}}

As of 2021, BEST ran approximately 3,800 buses,{{cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/3-Puneites-in-race-for-Sammelan-presidentship/articleshow/3785766.cms |title=3 Puneites in race for Sammelan presidentship |work=The Times of India}}{{cite web |title=Composition of Bus Fleet |publisher=BEST Undertaking |url=http://www.bestundertaking.com/trans_engg.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050212184403/http://www.bestundertaking.com/trans_engg.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 February 2005|access-date=12 October 2006}} ferrying 5 million passengers{{cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/aug/25best.htm |title=Now running TV ads in Mumbai's BEST buses |work=Rediff.com |access-date=5 August 2011}} over 443 routes, and had a workforce of 38,000, which included 22,000 drivers and conductors.

Besides buses, BEST operates a ferry service since 1981 in northern Mumbai, across Manori Creek. The barges run at regular intervals across the shallow creek linking Manori to Marve.{{cite web |url=http://www.bestundertaking.com/trans_botright.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020628154146/http://www.bestundertaking.com/trans_botright.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 June 2002 |title=Bus Transport Profile |publisher=Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) |access-date=27 November 2009}}

The BEST bus service suffered two bombings, on 6 December 2002 and 28 July 2003, killing six people altogether. In August 2006, the company introduced payphone system and CCTVs on its buses as a response to terror attacks.{{cite news|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1049567|title=BEST makes a smart move|work=Daily News & Analysis |date=26 August 2006|access-date=12 October 2006}}

{{Update|section|date=February 2025}}

BEST has several options to pay bus fares:

• Single journey (paper ticket issued by the bus conductor and validated by ticket punch)
• Chalo App (digital ticket)
• Chalo Card
• National Common Mobility Card

Fares vary depending on the type of journey. Paper tickets are valid only for single journeys. Commuters also have the option to buy a daily pass, distance pass, and zonal pass. Students are eligible for discounts on monthly and quarterly passes and senior citizens for discounts on weekly, fortnightly, monthly, and quarterly passes.{{cite web |url=https://bestundertaking.com/in/pdf/BusPassSchemeJuly2019.pdf |title=Buspass Scheme in Detail (2019) |publisher=BEST Undertaking |access-date=5 January 2023}}

The BEST Transport Museum is located at Anik bus depot in Wadala. It was set up in 1984 at BEST's Kurla depot and moved to Anik in 1993.{{cite news |author=Priyanka Bhosale |url=http://www.karmayog.org/knowmumbai/knowmumbai_15458.htm|title=Summer Past-time – BEST Transport Museum Wadala |publisher=Karmayog.org |access-date=16 December 2009}} Besides tracing the company's evolution, the museum houses mini models of BEST buses and trams.{{cite news |author=Time Out Mumbai |url=http://saregama.timeoutmumbai.net/kids/kids_features_details.asp?code=76 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724104717/http://saregama.timeoutmumbai.net/kids/kids_features_details.asp?code=76 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 July 2011 |title=BEST Transport Museum |publisher=Time Out Mumbai |access-date=16 December 2009}}

Since 1926, BEST has been sourcing its power from Tata Power, part of the Tata Group conglomerate. Power cables are laid underground, which reduces pilferage and other losses that plague most other parts of India. The nominal rating of power supplied by BEST is 3-phase, 50 Hz, 220/110 kV. Unlike the transport company, the electricity department services only the city of Mumbai and not its suburbs.[http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/1880455/report-the-best-is-the-best-option-for-mumbai The BEST is the best option for Mumbai]. Dnaindia.com. Retrieved on 6 December 2013.

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Public transport in Mumbai
• Water transport in Mumbai
• Maharashtra State Electricity Board
• Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport}}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

• {{official website|bestundertaking.com}}
• {{cite web |title=Tram-car arrives |work=BEST Undertaking |url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap02.asp |access-date=27 August 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081022233706/http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap02.asp |archive-date=22 October 2008 }}
• {{cite web |title=Motor-Bus appears |work=BEST Undertaking |url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap03.asp |access-date=27 August 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100115024212/http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap03.asp |archive-date=15 January 2010}}
• {{cite web |title=Electricity arrives in Mumbai |work=BEST Undertaking |url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap04.asp |access-date=27 August 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050409144816/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap04.asp |archive-date=9 April 2005 }}
• {{cite web |title=B.E.S.&T. Company |work=BEST Undertaking |url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap05.asp |access-date=27 August 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050903071002/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap05.asp |archive-date=3 September 2005 }}
• {{cite web |title=B.E.S.T. Undertaking |work=BEST Undertaking |url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap06.asp |access-date=27 August 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050908094141/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap06.asp |archive-date=8 September 2005 |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite web |title=Progress of Bus Service |work=BEST Undertaking |url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap07.asp |access-date=27 August 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061011193451/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap07.asp |archive-date=11 October 2006}}
• {{cite web |title=Alternative modes of transport |work=BEST Undertaking |url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap08.asp |access-date=27 August 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061006092503/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap08.asp |archive-date=6 October 2006}}
• {{cite web |title=Electric Supply |work=BEST Undertaking |url=http://bestundertaking.com/his_chap12.asp |access-date=27 August 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061009032917/http://www.bestundertaking.com/his_chap12.asp |archive-date=9 October 2006 |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite web|title=Organisational Setup (Transport) |work=BEST Undertaking |url=http://bestundertaking.com/trans_func.asp |access-date=27 August 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604204123/http://www.bestundertaking.com/trans_func.asp |archive-date=4 June 2009 }}
• {{cite web |title=Organisational Setup (Electric) |work=BEST Undertaking |url=http://bestundertaking.com/elec_key.asp |access-date=27 August 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029141237/http://www.bestundertaking.com/elec_key.asp |archive-date=29 October 2006 |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite web |title=Financial Highlights and Budget Estimates |work=BEST Undertaking |url=http://bestundertaking.com/finance.asp |access-date=27 August 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716061033/http://www.bestundertaking.com/finance.asp |archive-date=16 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite web |title=Awards |work=BEST Undertaking |url=http://bestundertaking.com/trans_award.asp |access-date=27 August 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061029141640/http://www.bestundertaking.com/trans_award.asp |archive-date=29 October 2006 |url-status=dead }}

{{div col end}}

{{Bus rapid transit in India}}

{{Mumbai topics}}

{{Power Plants of Maharashtra}}

{{Trams in India}}

{{State owned road transport companies in India}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brihanmumbai Electric Supply And Transport}}

Category:Bus companies of India

Category:Companies based in Mumbai

Category:Companies established in 1873

Category:Defunct town tramway systems by city

Category:Electric power distribution network operators in India

Category:Energy companies established in 1873

Category:Energy in Maharashtra

Category:Municipal transport agencies of India

Category:Railway companies established in 1873

Category:Tram transport in India

Category:Transport in Mumbai

Category:1873 establishments in India