A chapter in the city’s transport history drew to a close on October 11 as a group of BEST bus enthusiasts gathered at Malvani bus depot to bid farewell to one of the last self-owned Ashok Leyland CNG buses procured under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme 15 years ago.
The farewell was organised with the same passion that has marked earlier goodbyes for iconic bus models, including the Ashok Leyland MUTP, double-decker, and Tata CNG buses.
The day-long itinerary was designed to cover major city landmarks, including some routes never traversed before by this model. The journey began at Malad West’s Sainath Road Chowky, then rolled through Aarey Colony, where enthusiasts halted at the Metro-3 Aqua Line car shed. It continued to Mumbai Airport Terminals 1 and 2, where the bus, for the first time, took the T2 flyover. The ageing workhorse then crossed the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and the newly opened coastal road.
A major halt at the Mantralaya Bus Station saw commuters sharing snacks and clicking photos. The group then travelled via Hutatma Chowk, CSMT, Colaba Depot, and the Eastern Freeway before crossing the newly inaugurated Santacruz-Chembur Link Road arm and the Gokhale Bridge — another “first” for this model.
For many, the farewell was made even more special by personalised touches: members donned BEST-themed T-shirts designed by bus fan Tyrone D’Souza, with depots’ names displayed on the back. Mulund bus fan Gandharva Purohit displayed laminated photographs of the bus model inside, while bus fan Abhishek Risbud, on a visit to Mumbai from England, created souvenir tickets in the classic BEST style, complete with date, bus number, and age.
When bus then returned to Malvani depot, emotions ran high.
Permissions were coordinated by bus fans Azharuddin Kazi and Sumedh Tambe, while arrangements were handled by Rupak Dhakate and Sahil Pusalkar.
For the enthusiasts, the bus` farewell was more than a ride — it was a tribute to a machine that faithfully carried Mumbai’s commuters for over a decade-and-a-half, and a celebration of the enduring affection Mumbaikars hold for their beloved red buses.
