Mumbaikars Bid Goodbye As BEST Retires ‘Legendary’ Non-AC CNG Bus Fleet After 15 Years Of Service | X (@rdstic)
Mumbai witnessed an emotional farewell on Saturday, October 11, when a group of BEST bus enthusiasts organized a circular tribute ride for one of the last Ashok Leyland JNNURM CNG buses in the city’s fleet. The event began at the Malvani Depot and wound its way through key city landmarks including Aarey Colony, Mumbai’s airports, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, the Coastal Road, Colaba, the Eastern Freeway, SCLR, the highway stretch, Gokhale Bridge, and Link Road, before returning to the depot.
The retired bus, numbered 1864, had faithfully served Mumbai for 15 years and was slated to run its last dedicated loop on October 25. Believing plans, however, the bus developed an engine issue on that day. To ensure the farewell still went ahead, BEST arranged an alternative, bus number 1948 from Gorai Depot, to lead the celebratory run. Bus 1948 was then officially retired on October 13. A third bus in the series, 1949, is scheduled to be decommissioned on October 17. This transition marks the gradual sunset of non-AC, CNG models in BEST’s public transport roster.
The route was more than symbolic, it allowed the bus and its admirers to traverse parts of the city that the model hadn’t previously served. Enthusiasts and depot staff decorated the bus with garlands, ribbons, and photographs. Coconuts were broken in a ritualistic send-off, cakes were cut, and depot personnel were felicitated. Many participants wore custom T-shirts bearing 3D graphics of the retiring bus.
The event was spearheaded by enthusiasts including Azharuddin Kazi, Sumedh Tambe, Rupak Dhakate, and Sahil Pusalkar, according to report by Loksatta. The journey paused at Mantralaya Bus Station, where riders exchanged stories, captured photographs, and shared a moment of nostalgia. As the loop wound back to Malvani, the city seemed to pause in tribute to a vehicle that had served as a silent companion to countless Mumbaikars.
Introduced in 2009 under the JNNURM scheme, BEST’s original order included 550 full-length and 250 midi Ashok Leyland CNG buses. At the time, they were touted as futuristic, equipped with LED route displays, wide rear doors, improved suspension, and a more refined engine. Over time, though, they aged, and today they are being phased out in favor of cleaner, electric alternatives.
To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit:
