Mumbai's BEST Outlines Plan for 10,000 Buses with 1,500 Electric and 200 CNG Midi Vehicles BEST's budget for fiscal year 2027-28 proposes 1,500 electric midi buses, ONDC-backed QR ticketing across popular apps, and advanced driver simulator training. Commuters navigating Mumbai aboard public buses are set to experience major upgrades in urban transit connectivity and commuter comfort in the coming period. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has presented its budget for fiscal year 2027-28, charting an aggressive modernization drive that spans large-scale fleet expansion, universal digital ticketing, real-time bus monitoring, and enhanced commuter safety. At the forefront of this overhaul is a planned induction of 1,500 new electric midi buses into the municipal transit system, accompanied by tenders invited to procure 200 CNG midi buses. Phased Expansion Target Set for 10,000 Buses As of September 2026, BEST operated a total fleet of 2,834 buses across the city and surrounding areas. The transport authority has now committed to a structured, phased augmentation drive that aims to initially scale the operating fleet to 4,016 buses, with an ultimate objective of reaching 10,000 operational buses. Under this framework, 1,500 electric midi buses will be procured through the central government's PM E-Drive scheme. Parallel to this green transit procurement, administrative proceedings have also commenced to acquire 200 CNG midi buses. With approximately 25 lakh commuters relying on BEST services daily throughout Mumbai and adjacent metropolitan zones, expanding the operational strength is intended to directly boost vehicle frequency, lower passenger wait times, and alleviate chronic commuter crowding on high-density routes. ONDC-Powered QR Ticketing and Real-Time Tracking BEST is also moving forward with comprehensive reforms in passenger ticketing by strengthening its digital transit ecosystem. Under the new budgetary proposal, QR code-based ticketing will be integrated across the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), making seamless bus booking accessible over numerous third-party digital platforms. Commuters will be able to purchase tickets through widely used mobile interfaces including Chalo, PhonePe, Paytm, WhatsApp, redBus, Rapido, and Namma Yatri. Alongside broader app availability, the Integrated Transport Management System will continue uninterrupted, delivering real-time vehicle tracking, automated vehicle location monitoring, and improved passenger information displays at stops and inside buses. Fleet movements, route adjustments, and schedule monitoring will be coordinated centrally through an active Central Command and Control Centre. Driver Safety Training with Advanced Simulators To curtail road collisions and boost defensive driving practices, BEST is enhancing driver education through high-tech infrastructure. Advanced driving simulators will be installed at the Dindoshi Training Centre. These digital simulation modules are designed to train drivers under severe weather conditions, complex and congested urban scenarios, proactive hazard identification, and fuel-efficient operating techniques. Open-Top Double-Deckers for Heritage Tourism In a targeted move to support leisure travel and heritage appreciation in the metropolis, BEST has proposed introducing open-top double-decker buses. These specialized open-roof vehicles will be assigned to heritage tourist routes, giving visitors panoramic sightseeing access to Mumbai's celebrated architectural landmarks and historic districts. What this means for you Around 25 lakh daily commuters in Mumbai will directly benefit from higher bus availability, hassle-free multi-app ticketing, and improved safety standards. • In Mumbai: Bus commuters will experience reduced waiting times across suburban and city routes. The addition of midi buses will significantly ease peak-hour rush and improve frequency. • Across India: The integration of urban transit with ONDC and the PM E-Drive scheme sets an operational precedent for other metropolitan transport corporations. Other municipal bodies are likely to adopt similar multi-platform digital ticketing architectures. • Cashless Commuting: Passengers will no longer need cash or change while boarding buses. QR tickets can be booked directly through daily mobile apps like WhatsApp, PhonePe, and Paytm. • Accurate Journey Planning: Live bus tracking and passenger information displays will give commuters exact arrival estimates. This will help passengers manage their transit schedules efficiently without standing in prolonged queues. Why this happened BEST faced severe fleet constraints against Mumbai's rising transit demand of 25 lakh daily commuters, necessitating aggressive expansion and technical modernization in the 2027-28 budget. • Fleet Depletion Pressures: BEST was operating with only 2,834 buses as of September 2026, which proved inadequate for Mumbai's passenger volume. Scaling the fleet up to 4,016 initially and eventually to 10,000 became essential to prevent severe service shortfalls. • National Clean Energy Push: Central incentives provided under the PM E-Drive scheme made electric vehicle adoption economically viable. BEST capitalized on this initiative to finance 1,500 electric midi buses alongside 200 CNG midi units to curb vehicular emissions. • Demand for Open Digital Access: Limiting mobile ticketing to a single proprietary app created commuter bottlenecks. Integrating ticketing with the open ONDC framework allows passengers to purchase QR tickets via ubiquitous platforms like WhatsApp, Paytm, and PhonePe. • Safety and Accident Mitigation: Addressing urban accident rates required upgraded defensive driver training. The Dindoshi facility is introducing driving simulators to train operators against extreme weather hazards and complex road situations. Questions & Answers 1. How many new buses are planned under BEST's fiscal year 2027-28 budget? BEST plans to induct 1,500 new electric midi buses and has invited tenders for 200 CNG midi buses. 2. What was BEST's total fleet size as of September 2026? As of September 2026, BEST had a total fleet of 2,834 buses. 3. What is the long-term fleet expansion target for BEST? BEST aims to expand its operating fleet in phases to 4,016 buses first and eventually to 10,000 buses. 4. Under which scheme are the electric buses being procured? The 1,500 electric midi buses will be procured through the central government's PM E-Drive scheme. 5. Which platforms will support QR ticketing via ONDC? Passengers can book QR tickets across platforms like PhonePe, Paytm, WhatsApp, Chalo, redBus, Rapido, and Namma Yatri. 6. Where will the new driving simulators be installed? The advanced driving simulators will be set up at BEST's Dindoshi Training Centre. 7. What kind of buses are proposed for Mumbai heritage tourism? BEST has proposed introducing open-top double-decker buses for heritage tourist services. https://trendkia.com/en/business/mumbai-men-best-ka-10-000-bason-ka-bara-lakshya-bere-men-shamila-hongi-1-500-ilektrika-aura-200-cng-basen-44519 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.