Tata Motors on August 7 delivered 35 state-of-the-art Starbus electric buses, as a part of the larger order of 340 electric buses, to Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST).
The 35-seater buses were flagged off by the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Mr. Uddhav Thackeray, in the presence of dignitaries from the state Government, BEST and Tata Motors, at an event at Mahim, Mumbai.
According to a press release, the buses are procured by BEST under the Centre’s FAME-II initiative, and the delivery is a part of the first-ever Gross Cost Contract (GCC) by BEST. Tata Motors will be undertaking to build, deploy, maintain and operate the complete charging infrastructure along with the buses.
The 12-metre long Tata Starbus AC electric buses are equipped with advanced features for the comfort of the driver and the passengers, added the release.
Speaking about the deliveries, Mr Lokesh Chandra, General Manager, BEST Undertaking, said, “We are delighted to take delivery of 35 Starbus AC electric buses from Tata Motors. BEST’s vision of introducing more and more electric buses will go a long way reducing the tail-pipe emissions and will benefit millions of Mumbaikars.”
Mr. Rohit Srivastava, Vice-President, Product Line – Buses, Tata Motors, said, “Tata Motors has been at the forefront of technology innovation with green fuels and has been leading the electric mobility solutions in the country. The delivery of these buses will further fortify our partnership with BEST and help in environment-friendly mass mobility for the city of Mumbai.”