Mumbai: Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) transport service, which started operating horse tram services in Mumbai on May 9, 1874, has completed 150 years now. In honor of this milestone, BEST is hosting an exhibition at the BEST Museum, showcasing its journey from the beginning of horse tram services in 1874 to the present day. The exhibition has been organized at BEST Museum, Anik Depot from Thursday to Saturday between 10 am to 5 pm.
Evolving, BEST transitioned to electric trams in 1907 and introduced motorized buses in 1926. The double-decker tram, introduced in 1920, running on 47 kilometers of track, became a symbol of Mumbai’s landscape. The first horse trams in Mumbai operated on two routes, from Colaba to Pydhonie via Crawford Market and from Bori Bunder to Pydhonie, which were introduced under the Bombay Tramways Act. Fares were introduced soon after its establishment. On March 31, 1964, the last tram passed through the streets of Mumbai, running between Bori Bunder and Khodadad Tram Terminus, now known as Dadar TT. The huge crowd gathered for its farewell.
The British Electric Traction Company (England) sought a license to provide electricity in 1904, paving the way for electric trams in 1907 and later the introduction of double-decker trams. Motor buses were introduced in 1926, with the city’s first double-decker bus introduced in 1937. BEST also had trailer buses (two buses attached) when they transported passengers between Colaba/Ballard Pier and Mahim. By the mid-1990s, BEST had a fleet of about 900 double-decker buses, which have now been replaced by 50 AC double-decker buses and a total of 3,000 buses.
