Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport

Public sector undertaking to supply power and run bus services in Mumbai

The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) is a civic transport and electricity provider public body based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. It was originally set up in 1873 as a tramway company called "Bombay Tramway Company Limited". The company set up a captive thermal power station at the Wadi bunder in November 1905 to generate electricity for its trams and positioned it to also supply electricity to the city and re branded itself to "Bombay Electric Supply & Tramways (BEST)" Company. In 1926, BEST also became an operator of motor buses. In 1947, the BEST became an undertaking of the Municipal Corporation and rebranded itself to "Bombay Electric Supply & Transport (BEST)". In 1995 the organisation was renamed to "Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST)" alongside Mumbai. It now operates as an autonomous body under the Municipal Corporation. BEST operates one of India's largest fleets of buses. The bus transport service covers the entire city and also extends its operations outside city limits into neighbouring urban areas. In addition to buses, it also operates a ferry service in the northern reaches of the city. The electricity division of the organisation is also one of the few electricity departments in India to garner an annual gross profit.

The idea of a mass public transport system for Bombay was first put forward in 1865 by an American company, which applied for a licence to operate a horse drawn tramway system. Although a licence was granted, the project was never realized due to the prevailing economic depression in the city due to the end of the American Civil War, during which Bombay had made vast strides in its economy by supplying cotton and textiles to the world market. On 27 November 1871, a notice in the Times of India newspaper found to be too expensive and the tender was promptly abandoned.

The "Bombay Tramway Company Limited" was formally set up in 1873. After a contract was entered into between the Bombay Tramway Company, the municipality and Stearns and Kitteredge company, the Bombay Presidency enacted "The Bombay Tramways Act, 1874", under which the company was licensed to run a horsecar tramway service in the city. On 9 May 1874, the first horse drawn tram made its début in the city, plying on the Colaba–Pydhone via Crawford Market, and Bori Bunder to Pydhonie via Kalbadevi routes. The initial fare was three annas (15 paise) , and no tickets were issued. As the service became increasingly popular, the fare was reduced to two annas (10 paise). Later that year, tickets were issued for the first time to curb increasing ticketless travel. Stearns and Kitteredge reportedly had a stable of 900 horses when tram service began. In 1882 the municipality entered into an agreement with the Eastern Electric Light and Power Company to provide electric lighting in the Crawford Market and on some of the roads. But the company went into liquidation the following year and the market reverted to gas lighting. In 1899, Bombay Tramway Company applied to the municipality, for operation of electrically operated trams. Due to the high investment required, the company suggested that the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) should waive its right to take over the tramways, which was to take place in 1901 according to the Bombay Tramways Act. Instead, the BMC decided to take over the company, but was met with several legal problems. In 1904 the British Electric Traction Company (England) applied for a license to supply electricity to the city. The "Brush Electrical Engineering Company" was its agent. It got "The Bombay Electric License" on 31 July 1905 signed by Bombay Tramways Company, the Bombay Municipality and its agent, the Brush Electrical Company.

In 1905, "Bombay Electric Supply & Tramway Company Limited" (B. E. S. T.) was formed. The B. E. S. T. Company was granted the monopoly for electric supply and the running of an electric tram service in the city. It bought the assets of the Bombay Tramway Company for Two years later in 1907, the first electric tram debuted in the city. Later that year, a steam power generator was commissioned at Wari Bunder. In 1916, the Tata Power group began purchasing power and by 1925, all power generation was outsourced from Tata. The passing years aggravated the problem of rush hour traffic and to ease the situation, double decker trams were introduced in September 1920. Since 1913, the company had been pondering over starting a motorised bus service. The main factor against its introduction was the high accident rate for a similar service in London. After years of debate, the company came to a decision on 10 February 1926, to start a bus service later that year. Bombay saw its first bus run on 15 July 1926 between Afghan Church and Crawford Market. The people of Bombay received the bus with enthusiasm, but it took some time before this means of conveyance really established itself. Despite stiff opposition and protests by taxi drivers, the service ran without a hitch, transporting 600,000 passengers by the end of that year. The following year the number had increased to 3.8 million. For several years, it was looked upon as transport for the upper middle class. Those were the days when the tram was the poor man's transport; it carried one all the way from the Sassoon Docks to Dadar. The bus fare for the same journey was 25 paise. In response to the pleas made by the Government and the Bombay Municipal Corporation, the company extended its services to the northern part of the city in 1934. The Indian independence movement's call for mass non violent strikes and general civil disobedience led to regular service disruptions, leading to the company incurring huge losses in 1929. The next year was a particular bad year for the company in the wake of the Great Depression. To remain solvent, the company decided to introduce discounted fares for short routes, and increase its coverage to the northern portions of the city. In 1937, the introduction of double decker buses proved to be extremely popular.

Pursuant to the option given to it under the deed of concession granted to the Bombay Electric Supply and Tramways Co. Ltd, the BMC acquired the assets of the combined undertaking, namely the operation of tramways and distribution of electricity in the city of Bombay as a going concern on 7 August 1947. By mutual agreement, the corporation also took over the operation of the bus services, which was run by the Bombay Electric Supply & Transport Company. Thus, "Bombay Electric Supply & Tramways Company" was renamed "Bombay Electric Supply & Transport". As the company grew, it increased its fleet from 242 to 582 buses over the next decade. In 1949, it took over the Bandra Bus Company, which used to ply buses in the suburbs. In 1951, the electricity division switched over from direct current (DC) to the more efficient alternating current (AC). The company launched its services in the eastern suburbs in 1955. That year, the Undertaking and private operators went to court with BEST asking for a complete closure of the private companies. The case dragged on for four years before the Supreme Court of India granted the organisation a complete monopoly over bus services in the Greater Bombay area. In 1964, due to high operational costs and poor public support, its long running tram services were terminated. The company became the first company in the country to issue computerised billing in 1974. In 1994, the company introduced electronic meters in a move to replace the less accurate electric meters. A notable Chairman of BEST during this 1970's period was Kisan Mehta, who was known for his social activism.

With the renaming of the city from Bombay to Mumbai in 1995, the organization was renamed to "Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport (BEST)". Following a Supreme Court directive, the company gradually phased out old buses and introduced new buses which complied with the Euro III pollution control standards. On 19 November 2004, route SPL 8 travelling from Churchgate to the World Trade Centre had started accepting cashless smart cards for automatic fare collection in BEST buses. BEST currently has over 3000 buses in its fleet and plans to increase the number of buses. After the 9/11 bombings, BEST had installed an audio visual surveillance system (CCTV) on each of its buses to monitor suspicious behavior on board its vehicles but it is no longer done. Almost all buses had two LCD TVs per bus which showed BEST TV but it was discontinued. BEST had introduced A/C Cerita services on certain routes but due to high maintenance it got discontinued. The A/C bus "AS 4" from Oshiwara Depot to Backbay Depot was the route with the highest revenue for BEST. A new era for BEST began in 2019 when it revised its fare and increased bus fleet by inducting non AC and AC buses on wet lease. Passenger numbers which were all time low started to increase and in 2020 it achieved its passenger numbers which it had in 2012. Since 2019, BEST revenue has also improved, however it is still not in profit.

The company is headed by a general manager, currently Lokesh Chandra. The transport department is overseen by a "Deputy General Manager (Traffic Operations)" who is assisted by the "Chief Manager (Traffic)." The 'Chief Manager (Traffic)' oversees the five BEST zones, each headed by a 'Dy. Chief Manager (traffic)'. Each zone consists of 7 to 8 depots, whose operations are overseen by an 'assistant general manager (Traffic Operation)'. A 'Depot Manager' or 'Dy. Depot Manager' heads each depot. The electricity department is headed by a "Deputy General Manager (Electric Supply)' (DGM (ES))," who is assisted by an "Assistant General Manager (Electric Supply)" (AGM (ES)), and is in charge of planning, new projects, construction, street lighting, computer applications and the generation cell. The "Chief Engineer – Electric Supply" (CEES) is in charge of material testing and the Standards, Meters and Relays and the Review departments. Two "Chief Engineer – Distribution" (CED) officials manage the two administrative zones. BEST enjoys a high degree of autonomy under the BMC; the latter approves its yearly budget and permits increases in bus fares when required. A body of 17 municipal corporate officials from the ruling party in the BMC form the BEST committee. The committee, headed by a chairman, keeps a tab on the undertaking's daily operations. The committee has a staggered two year term.

In 1936, the company owned 433 tram vehicles and 128 busses. as of 2023, BEST has a fleet of 3,228 buses which includes BEST owned buses and buses on wet lease. The fleet comprises 525 diesel single decker buses, 2,250 CNG buses, 406 battery electric single decker buses, 45 diesel double decker buses and 2 battery electric double decker buses. The fleet numbers are dynamic due to the National Vehicle Scrappage Policy under which all State and Central government owned vehicles older than 15 years (including buses owned by transport corporations) will be scrapped from 1 April 2023. These will be replaced by new vehicles running on alternative fuels. BEST placed a order with Olectra Greentech to supply and maintain 2,100 battery electric single decker buses for a 12 year period in May 2022. In February 2023, India's first battery electric double decker AC bus was deployed by BEST on the A 115 route. 200 of these Switch EiV 22 double decker buses have been ordered from Switch Mobility to replace the existing diesel double decker fleet. The target is to have a 100 percent electric fleet by 2027. All unit overhauling, repairing of body damages, tyre cut repairs, plant and equipment installation and repairs, and reclamation activities are carried out in the workshop. There are roughly 4,500 to 5,000 bus stops in Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Some of them are equipped with bus ETA system. The bus stops are of two types, shelter and pole. All bus stops have route numbers which stop and stop name in Marathi and English. They even have a unique code on all stops. Each bus has a unique number and depot code assigned to it. The depot codes are mentioned below. Mostly all BEST buses are painted in standard original red colour with "BEST" logo in English and Marathi. There are different coloured stripes on these buses to indicated some features and type of fuel the bus uses. The following are the different stripes and its meaning :

1. Yellow and Green strip it indicates the bus is run on CNG. 2. Grey strip it indicates the bus is run on Diesel. (These types are almost scrapped)

3. White strip these are also run on diesel but are procured under MUTP II and MUTP III. (By 2023 these types will be scrapped)

4. Silver strip it indicates the bus is electric powered. 5. Black, Yellow and Green strip it indicates that a AC CNG bus is converted into non AC CNG bus. (They were earlier Purple coloured King Long AC buses)

Best has some special livery buses too with BEST logo on it. 1. Full grey coloured "Safety is our Motto" in red or white text livery. 2. Yellow and Black livery to indicate that the bus is hybrid and given by MMRDA. 3. Yellow and Pink livery to indicate ladies special 'Tejaswini' buses. Until BEST was taken over by the municipality, only the Colaba depot was available for the maintenance of buses and minor repairs. As the fleet grew, more depots were needed. In 1961 the fleet comprised 1045 buses. Six new depots were constructed for their maintenance. The Wadala depot was equipped for the maintenance of 300 buses. At this time it was the largest depot in Asia. After this, the authorities decided that no depot should be called on to look after more than 125 to 150 buses after taking long maintenance times into account. Accordingly, small depots were built at convenient spots in the city and its suburbs. The most recent depot was Kalakilla and Malad. Each depot is a work center that provides bus services effectively every day, carries out preventive maintenance, as well as repairs on buses. Depots carry out maintenance practices such as preventive maintenance, unit replacement, RTO passing, body damage repairs of buses. BEST buses are operated out of the 27 bus depot located in four zones viz. City, Central, Western, and Eastern Suburban zones. In late 2019, BEST began operating air conditioned mini buses and midi buses that were hired on a wet lease. BEST also plans to increase its fleet size to 6,00 buses by 2022. In April 2022, it came up with 100% digital buses with a ‘Tap in and Tap out’ ticketing system, making Mumbai the first city in India to get fully digital buses. + BEST Bus Depot List and Routes operated from each depot No Depot Name in English Depot Name in Marathi Depot Code Inauguration Address Bus Route No. Bus Stations Major Operations City Zone 1 Colaba कुलाबा C Electric House, Colaba, Mumbai 1, 6L, 103, 108, A111, 113, A115, A138 and A116 (Double Decker), 139 Colaba Depot, Chht. Shivaji Terminus, Ballard Pier Colaba, Chht. Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Fort, Churchgate, Malabar Hill, Nariman Point, Girgaon, Andheri (E), Bandra (W), Mahul 2 Backbay बॅकबे BB 1976 Cuffe Parade Road, Backbay, Mumbai 3, C 10 Exp, 25L, 100, 106, A3, A6, A25, A106, 112, A112, 115, A115, A116, A120, A121, 122, 134, A134, A136, A137, A138, 8SPL, 9SPL, HO HO Service Backbay Depot, Navy Nagar, Colaba Bus Stn., Ahilyabai Holkar Chk. Backbay, Nariman Point, Churchgate, Byculla, Colaba, Antop Hill, Sion, Kurla, Mahul, Mantralaya, Malabar Hill, Nepean Sea Road, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Gateway of India, Charni Road, Opera House (Girgaon), Tardeo, Sewree, Ballard Pier 3 Mumbai Central मुंबई सेंट्रल CN 1950 Morland Road, Byculla, Mumbai 42, A49, A63, A102, A104, A105, A123, A126, A132, A135, A154, A155, A351 Mumbai Central Depot, Ferry Wharf, Jijamata Udyan, Vasantrao Naik Chk., Byculla Stn. [W], Mumbai Central, Tardeo, Byculla, Mazgaon, Walkeshwar, Chembur, Vikhroli, Malabar Hill, Ferry Wharf, August Kranti Maidan, Mazgaon, Mahul, Chunabhatti, Mahalakshmi, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Grant Road, Pydhonie, Navy Nagar, Mantralaya, Tardeo, Fort, Worli, Cumbala Hill, Antop Hill, Byculla (W), Nepean Sea Road 4 Worli वरळी WR 1961 Off A. B. Road, Worli, Mumbai 44, 50, 56, A82, A89, 110, A124, 125, A162, A167, A171, 354, C 54 Exp Worli Depot, Worli Village, Com. P. K. Kurne Chk. Worli, Dadar (W), Prabhadevi, Parel, Mulund (W), Fort, Ferry Wharf, Versova, Mantralaya, Wadala (E), Colaba, Navy Nagar, Sewree, Airoli, Prabhadevi Stn (W), Antop Hill, Santacruz (W), Backbay, Chunabhatti 5 Wadala वडाळा W 1961 Tilak Road, Opp. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar College, Wadala, Mumbai 14B, 25L, 40L, 57, 69, 77, 151, 165, 168, 174, 212, 217, 411, C 440 Exp, A440, C 521 Exp Wadala Depot, P. Thakre Udyan Wadala, Dadar (E), Sewree, Chandivali (Andheri (E)), Parel, Worli, Malabar Hill, Nepean Sea Road, Fort, Colaba, Reay Road, Antop Hill, Breach Candy, Byculla (W), Dadar (W), Bandra (W), Borivali (E), Chembur, Malad (W), Ghansoli Central Suburb Zone 6 Marol मरोळ M 1968 Central Road, MIDC, Marol, Andheri (E), Mumbai 22L, 39, A186, 307, 333, 334, 335, 340, 435, 443, 522L, 706L, A337, A338, A340, A441, A442, A443, A434 Marol Depot, Agarkar Chowk, Marol Maroshi Bus Stn. Andheri (E), Marol, Chandivali, Sahar, Maroshi, MBP (Millenium Business Park) Mahape, Airoli, Bhayandar Rly Station (E), Colaba Depot, Pydhonie, Worli, Powai, Mulund (W), Versova, Ghatkopar (W), Sahar, Thane (W), Vihar Lake 7 Dharavi धारावी DH 1980 Bandra Sion Link Road, Dharavi, Mumbai 2L, 11L, 27, 87L, 164, 303, C 305 Exp, 310, 313, 311, 316, 317, BKC 1, BKC 3, BKC 21 (AC), BKC 22 (AC), BKC 23 (AC) Dharavi Depot, Bandra Rly Ter [E], Bandra Colony Bus Stn., Santacruz Rly Stn (E) Bandra (E), BKC, Sion, Dharavi, Navy Nagar, Mantralaya, Mazgaon, Bhuleshwar, Mulund (W), Kurla (W), Santacruz (E), Kalina, Borivali (E), Thane (Hiranandani Estate), Mulund (Maharana Pratap Chowk) 8 KalaKilla काळाकिल्ला KK 31.01.2016 Bandra Sion Link Road, Dharavi, Mumbai 46, 52, 63, 66, 176, 352, 463, A C42Exp, C 71Exp, C 72Exp, C 302 Exp KalaKilla Depot, Dharavi Depot, Bandra Rly Ter [E], Bandra Colony Bus Stn. Bandra (E), BKC, Sion, Cotton Green, Dharavi, Dadar (W), Ballard Pier, Mulund (W), Trombay, Mira Road Rly Stn (E), Bhayander Rly Station (E), Ferry Wharf, Matunga (W), Mahim (W) 9 Magathane मागाठणे MT 1992 Near Tata Steel, Western Express Highway, Borivali (E), Mumbai 400066. 209, 297, A298, A301, A477, 498L, 524L, A698, C 700, 702L, 709L, 710L Magathane Depot, Borivali Stn. [E], Samata Nagar Chandivali (Andheri (E)), Borivali (E), Dahisar (E), Ghatkopar (E), Kandivali (E), Thane, Mira Road Rly Station (E), Bhayandar Rly Station (E) 10 Dindoshi दिंडोशी DIN 1985 Film City Road, Dindoshi, Mumbai 282, A287, A288, 289, A300, 326, 327, 342, 343, 344, 346, 347, 349, 398L, 447, 451, 452, 523L, 601, 624, 646, 701L, 705L, 718L, A624 Dindoshi Depot, Goregaon Stn [E], Kandivali Bus Stn., Shivshahi Prakalp, N. N. P, Gokuldham Kandivali (E), Malad (E), Kurla (W), Mulund (W), Goregaon (E), Airoli, Mira Road Rly Stn (E), Mira Road (E), Bhayandar Rly Station (E) 11 Majas मजास MJ 15.08.1995 J. V. L. R, Jogeshwari (E), Mumbai 35, 308, 319, 332, 333, 392, 410, 415, 428, 492L, 496L, 525L, 545L Majas Depot, Seepz Bus Stn., Satbhakti Mandir Jogeshwari (E), Andheri (E), Seepz, Worli, Dadar (W), Vidya Vihar (W), Vashi, Kurla (W), Sahar Airport, Vikhroli (W), Bhandup (W), Thane (W) 12 Kurla कुर्ला K 1955 L. B. S. Road, Kurla (W), Mumbai 37, 62, 311, 313, 318, 320, 322, 323, 330L, 332, 365, 413, 426, 446, 507L, 517L, 613, 618, BKC 2 Kurla Stn. [W], Santacruz Stn. [E], Vidyavihar Bus Stn. Santacruz (E), Kurla (W), BKC, Vidyavihar (W), Malabar Hill, Nepean Sea Road, Dadar (W), Santacruz (E), Bandra (E), Vihar Lake, Vile Parle (E), Andheri (E), Andheri (W), Sahar Cargo Complex, Vashi (APMC Market) Western Suburb Zone 13 Bandra वांद्रे BN 1980 Bandra Rly Stn (W), Mumbai 80L, 211, 214, 215, 219, 220, 222, 225, 321L, 422, 473, C 55 Exp, C 86 Exp, C 505 Exp Bandra Bus Stn. [W], Mahim Bus Stn., Bandra Reclamation Bus Stn. Bandra (W), Bandra (E), Khar (W), Mahim (W), CBD Belapur Bus Stn, Malabar Hill, Colaba, Backbay, Dahisar (E), Malad (E), Ghatkopar (W), Vikhroli (W), Mulund (W), Mahul Village 14 Santacruz सांताक्रूझ S 1950 Swami Vivekanand Road, Santacruz (W), Mumbai 28, 51, 79, 83, 201, 224, 231, 339, 355L, 356L, C 1 Exp, C 12 Exp Santacruz Depot, Juhu Vile Parle Bus Stn., Santacruz Stn. [W] Santacruz (W), Khar (W), JVPD, Juhu, Dahisar (E), Dahisar (W), Worli, Colaba, Fort, Malabar Hill, Churchgate, Vile Parle (W), Andheri (W), Borivali (W), Jogeshwari (E), Chembur (E), Trombay, Juhu 15 Goregaon गोरेगांव GG 1978 Near Motilal Nagar, Goregaon (W), Mumbai 203, A203, 204, 205, 424, 425, 454, 464L, 469L, 707L, C 33 Exp Goregaon Depot, Goregaon Bus Stn., Jogeshwari Bus Stn. Goregaon (W), Jogeshwari (W), Sewri, Worli, Dahisar (W), Juhu, Andheri (W), Mulund (W), Bhandup (W), Ghatkopar (E), Goregaon (E), Bhayandar Rly Stn (E) 16 Oshiwara ओशिवरा OSH 1990 Oshiwara Village, Goregaon (W), Mumbai 4L, A32, 84L, 200, 221, A203, A221, 223L, A235, 242, A248, 251, A252, 254, A257, 266, A251, A254, A266, A626, A627 Oshiwara Depot, Andheri Stn. [W], Yari Road Bus Stn. Jogeshwari (W), Andheri (W), Versova, Mazgaon, Mahim, Worli, Wadala, Kandivali (E), JVPD 17 Poisar पोयसर P 1966 Swami Vivekanand Road, Kandivali (W), Mumbai 203, 210L, 239, 244, 246, 276, 277, 280, 281, 284, 286, 290L Poisar Depot, Kandivali Stn. [W] Kandivali (W), Borivali (W), Dahisar (W), Juhu, Andheri (W), Malwani, Malad (E), Andheri (E) 18 Gorai गोराई GR 29.01.1996 Lokmanya Tilak Road, Gorai, Mumbai A/202L, 206, A208, 226L, A240, A245, A247, 259, A269, A294, A345, 460L, 461L Gorai Depot, Borivali Stn. [W], P. Thakre Nagar Bus Stn., Kandharpada Bus Stn. Gorai, Borivali (W), Andheri (W), Dahisar (W), Dahisar (E), Goregaon (E), Andheri (E), Mulund (W), Mahim (W), Santacruz (W), Ghatkopar (W), Madh 19 Malvani मालवणी MLV 26.01.1991 Malvani, Malad (W), Mumbai A180, 207, 241, A256, A273, A359, A456, 459L, A620, A621, A622 Malvani Depot, Madh Jetty, Marve Malad (W), Malvani, Madh, Mulund (W), Sahar, Andheri (W), Dahisar (E), Mahim (W), Juhu, Powai, Goregaon (E), Bhayander (E) 20 Malad मालाड MLD 01.04.2014 Chincholi Bunder, Malad (W), Mumbai 243, 262, 270, 271, 272 Malad Depot, Malad Stn. (W), Malad Stn. [E] Malad (W), Sainath Marg, Anand Marg, Marve Beach, Madh Island, Chunabhatti, Sion, Goregaon (W), Eastern Suburb Zone 21 Anik आणिक A 1988 Salt pan Road, Wadala, Mumbai. A5, 58, A59, 75, 85, 181, A341, A360, A361, A362, 363, A367, A369, A377, A431, A432 Anik Depot, Kurla Bus Stn. East, Chunabhatti Bus Terminus Kurla (E), Sion, Anik, Chunabhatti, Mahul Village, Dahisar (E), Trombay, Airoli, Churchgate, Wadala (E), Dadar, Mazgaon, Sion, Cuffe Parade, Girgaon 22 Prateeksha Nagar प्रतीक्षानगर PN 1996 Salt pan Road, Wadala, Mumbai 9, 14, 15, 43, 60, 67, 88, 169, 172, 255L, 312, 348L, 501L Prateeksha Nagar Depot, Antop Hill, Antop Hill Extn. Antop Hill, Wadala (E), Matunga (E), Borivali (E), Colaba, Churchgate, Mazgaon, Malabar Hill 23 Deonar देवनार D 1969 Sion–Trombay Road, Deonar, Mumbai A21, A26 Exp, A92, A364, A380, A382, 399L, 502L, 504L, A663, C 21 Exp, A 60 Exp Deonar Depot, Trombay, Anushakti Nagar Chembur (E), Trombay, Mankhurd, Anushakti Nagar, Borivali (E), Govandi (E), Nerul, Vashi Bus Stn, Kharghar, Fort, Mahul Village, Sahar 24 Shivaji Nagar शिवाजीनगर SN 1998 Govandi, Shivaji Nagar, Mumbai 8L, A19, A350, A357, 372, A375, A376, A379, A383, A404, A488, 489L Shivaji Nagar Depot, Shivaji Nagar Terminus, Dr. Ambedkar Udyan (Chembur) Shivaji Nagar, Govandi (W), Chembur (W), Goregaon (E), Mumbai Central, Churchgate, Fort, Bandra (W), Mahim, Chembur Colony, Kurla (E), Chembur (E) 25 Ghatkopar घाटकोपर G 1974 Ghatkopar (E), Mumbai A185, A325, A381, A385, A394, A397, A419, A421, A427, A430, A453, A470L, A481, A494, A499, 511L, 533L, C 53 Exp Ghatkopar Depot, Ghatkopar Bus Stn., Ghatkopar Stn (E), Ghatkopar Stn (W), Kannamwar Nagar 2 Ghatkopar (W), Ghatkopar (E), Vihar Lake, Chandivali, Kannamwar Nagar, Vashi (APMC Market), Nerul, Kalamboli, Borivali (E), Andheri (E), Thane 26 Vikhroli विक्रोळी V 1972 L. B. S Road, Vikroli (W), Mumbai 7L, 331, 386, 387, 416, 418, 478L, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, 607, 608, 612 Vikhroli Depot, Bhandup Stn. (W), Kanjurmarg Stn. (W) Vikhroli (W), Ghatkopar (W), Bhandup (W), Kanjurmarg (W), Hiranandani Bus Depot, Borivali (E), Pydhonie, 27 Mulund मुलुंड MU 1999 Devidayal Road, Mulund (W), Mumbai A391, A396L, A402, A403, A409L, A412, A414, A423, A493, A484, 512L, C 61 Exp, C 513 Exp Mulund Depot, Mulund Stn. (W), Mulund Bus Stn. [W], Mhada Bus Stn. [E] Mulund (W), Thane, Mulund (E), Bandra (W), Sewree, Nahur, Vashi Rly Stn, Nerul Bus Stn, Mira Road Rly Stn (E), Andheri (E), Sahar

BEST bus routes are spread citywide and to neighboring cities. BEST operates inter city services to three areas beyond the municipal limits of Mumbai City; i. e., into the limits of the bordering corporations of Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Mira Bhayandar. BEST supplements suburban rails, metro rail and monorail in the Mumbai region. It is for this reason that BEST always gives priority for feeder routes over other routes. BEST uses CNG, electric and diesel powered buses for its operation. BEST introduced Air conditioned buses in 1998. The majority of BEST buses consist of ordinary routes. Limited bus services that skip minor stops are used on long routes, high capacity routes, and routes that provide connectivity beyond Mumbai city. The buses have "LTD" appended to the route number. "C" routes are ultra long routes. 5xx LTD numbered buses connect Navi Mumbai with Mumbai. Some buses like A 504, 504 LTD, and C 53 Exp plies till Navi Mumbai's Raigad district, thereby connecting the nodes of Kharghar and Kalamboli with Mumbai. Buses numbered 4xx mostly like 496 LTD and 497 LTD serve Mulund and Thane and provide the connection to greater Mumbai and buses numbered 6xx LTD and 7xx LTD serves Mira Bhayander region like 706 LTD and 720 LTD. Buses number 3xx most likely cater to eastern suburbs. Buses numbered 2xx mostly serve western suburbs. Buses numbered 1xx mostly serve central suburbs. Buses numbered from 1 to 99 mostly serve South Mumbai (SoBo). As of 2021, the BEST runs approximately 3,800 buses, ferrying 5 million passengers over 443 routes, and has a workforce strength of 38,000, which includes 22,000 bus drivers and conductors. BEST plans to induct more AC & Non AC buses on wet lease and increase total fleet to 6,000 buses by 2021. Besides buses, BEST operates a ferry service since 1981 in northern Mumbai, across the Manori Creek. The barges operate at regular intervals across the shallow creek linking Manori to Marve. The BEST bus service suffered two bombings on 6 December 2002 and 28 July 2003 killing six people. In August 2006, BEST introduced payphone system and CCTVs on its buses as a response to terror attacks on the city's buses and trains. Bus routes are updated till 20th January 2023.

The following is a list of the air conditioned bus routes operated by BEST in Mumbai.

The following is a list of the hop in hop off (HOHO) bus route operated by BEST in Mumbai.

The BEST Transport Museum is at Anik Bus depot at Wadala. The museum was founded by P D Paranjape, the BEST officer who religiously collected bus tickets, engines, ticket issuing machines from depots across the city. The museum was set up in 1984 at BEST's Kurla depot and was shifted to Anik depot in 1993. The museum traces the evolution of BEST. It houses mini models of charming old BEST buses and ancient trams. Hand written placards in Marathi and photographs are on display for the public. Entry to the museum is free.

Since 1926, the BEST has been sourcing its power from Tata Power, part of the Tata Group conglomerate. The power cables are laid underground, which reduces pilferage and other losses that plague most other parts of India. The nominal rating of power supplied by BEST is 3 phase, 50 Hz, 220/110 kV. Unlike the transport company, the electricity department services only the Mumbai City area, and not the suburbs. It provides power to 5 million residential and commercial establishments and over 33,000 street lights within the city limits. As of 2000, BEST supplies a total of , with a consumption of The electricity department has 6,000 employees. The city has four 110 kV, twenty two 33 kV and 22 kV substations. BEST has a distribution loss of around 10% (2001), among the lowest in India. In 2006, the RPS (Renewable purchase specification) framework came into force, which has made it mandatory for electricity providers to generate or purchase fixed percentage (6% for FY 2009–10) of their power through renewable sources. To comply with this act, BEST plans to install photovoltaic cells in each of its 25 depots. They also plan to use solar power in gardens and street lighting where the demand is low. Another option being considered is the possibility of using the of garbage disposed by the city on a daily basis, which can be potentially used to generate of electricity.

Among its future plans is the "digitisation project", wherein all underground cables, sub stations, street lights and bus stops would be tracked digitally through the geographical information system. It also plans to connect all its electricity meters through a network, so that the readings can be taken remotely, and in realtime, thus obviating the need for monthly manual door to door inspection.