A Leisurely Charm
It served Mumbai for 86 long years, making Mumbaikars reach their destinations in comfort each day. Plying on the roads encompassing a massive city, in good weather and the bad, the Double Decker bus with its huge frame and leisurely charm undertook its final ride on the 15th of September, never to be seen on the roads again. This signalled the end of an Era and brought me some coherent, bittersweet emotions, pushing me to write this post today.
The Jewel in Mumbai’s Crown
The red double-decker bus, operated by the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport famously known as BEST has been the jewel in the crown of Mumbai’s iconic public transport system and has been serving the city since 1937, slowly becoming synonymous with the city’s identity. A picture of Mumbai invariably had the red double-decker flashed on it, such was its popularity.
Memories Galore
The double-decker has been integral to the memories of millions of travellers in the past 8 decades and it would be fair to say that my childhood memories too have been happily affected by it. During my school and college days in Mumbai, I was lucky to live and study on a few double-decker routes. Route no. 62, 1 and 3 had been the most used by me during my 16 years of stay in the city.
My Affair with the Red Double-Decker
I remember very fondly how I waited patiently for the double-deckers to arrive and once they did, how quickly I moved to the upper deck. I just loved it. I tried to get a seat in front of the windows on the upper deck and enjoy the cool breeze and gusts of wind. The strong gale used to leave my hair a mangled mess, but still, the experience was priceless. The air currents hitting the face too, are fairly reminiscent of a good cool massage. I have to say that sitting on the upper deck in front of the windows always used to be a joyous occasion, giving me a sense of infinite freedom. Being unable to get to a double-decker led to a string of desolate emotions too.
The Law of Nature
The old have to make way for the new, is a law of nature and therefore rising operating costs and heavy maintenance, eventually forced BEST to phase out the bus, bringing down curtains on a great legacy, leaving behind exquisite memories… and a bit of sadness too.
Read Quick, Read Better @ rizkhan.in
I first visited Mumbai as a youngster (then Bombay ) in 1958 and was charmed by its hustle and bustle as compared to the relative quietness of my hometown Lucknow. A major attraction for me was the Arabian Sea. And to top my touring spirit was the first ever ride in the BEST Double Decker with the balmy sea- breeze as a a new, fresh and most exhilarating experience.
Next I visited Bombay in 1964 , impatiently deboarded from a taxi to climb the stairs of a Double Decker and see the picturesque surroundings from its mounted view.
It was the rainy season in Bombay and a very pleasant experience. The bus was nearly empty. A big and nice surprise
followed when the Bus Conductor started humming the then hit song ‘Aha Aiyee Milan ki bela dekho …’
Riz Khan has done well to write the ‘obituary’ of the Double Decker. And now I also make my own contributory farewell to it.👍👍
Though the curtains have finally come down for the double decker riders the memories of enjoying the trips and reaching to their respective destinations are here to stay for all who enjoyed boarding it.I too have been fortunate enough to go on sightseeing trips of the city on this decades ago…Goodbye to this legacy.
Thank you so much for your valuable inputs