MUMBAI: AC double-decker buses are set to make a comeback after a delay of more than two years, with BEST agreeing to increase the payment to manufacturer Switch Mobility by ₹ 3.85 per km to resolve a long-standing contractual dispute.
The BEST administration has submitted a revised proposal to the BEST committee, which has approved the marginal increase. “We will now inform Switch Mobility about it.
Senior BEST officials said the additional payment is required to cover the cost of installing a safety device mandated by the Centre. Necessary documentation will be taken up and revised rates be implemented,” said a senior BEST official.
The dispute was referred to the Attorney General for a legal opinion and subsequently examined by a technical committee, which recommended the revision in the per-km lease payment in line with a Central government notification. The supply of the buses had been stalled since December 2024 over technical and contractual issues.
“There is a scope of having 5-7 open deck semi AC buses as well as the city is a good tourist attraction,” said BEST chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao.
Switch Mobility will now have to submit a fresh manufacturing and delivery schedule.
Sources said the buses are expected to start arriving in batches towards the end of this year.
