That is one of the best double-deckers. Final voyage. A nostalgic nighttime tour in South Mumbai. Golden headlights brighten empty highways in the nighttime.
The heritage buildings remain still as the double-decker passes. Looking weary and depressed. I think it’s roadworthy. But today is its last day on Mumbai’s roads. Starting tomorrow, BEST will exclusively operate eco-friendly double-deckers. They have air conditioning, automated gears, power-operated doors, digital ticketing, distinct front and rear entrances and exits, conductor inter-deck communication, CCTV, GPS, and accessibility ramps. This model is London’s pride. Mumbai must acclimatize to this new reality. Best may have saved the driver’s old rubber bulb squeeze horn and conductor’s rope bell for sentimental reasons. Bombay kids grow up with their noises.
I fully support expansion. Mumbai is transforming.
The Sealink is growing. Metro branches underground east, west, north, and south. Coastal roads cross the Arabian Sea. A new airport is being considered.
Flyovers link suburbs. With so much going on, the BEST will want to keep up. Big fan of the new double-decker bus. I will miss the old one. Also influenced by London’s red Routemaster double-decker bus. We have had it since 1937.
The BEST sometimes improved it. Growing up, I took the bus. Five paise got me to and from school for years. Jumping onto a moving bus footboard was fun. The top deck has front-row seats. The experience was like a rollercoaster city tour without loops. The wind blew at my face. The driver squeezes the horn, conductor pulls the bell.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content have been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. I am interviewing almost every role model in this country and getting stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have been featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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