Mumbai: In a remarkable move blending nostalgia with modern public service, IAS officer SVR Srinivas, General Manager of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking, has revived Mumbai’s historic Bus Route No. 1, originally introduced in 1937. The route, now rebranded as A-1, will connect Electric House (Colaba) to Bandra Reclamation, and will operate air-conditioned buses throughout the week starting July 15, 2025.
This revival is more than just a new route—it’s a powerful tribute to the city’s transport heritage. Bus No. 1 was the first to feature Mumbai’s iconic double-decker buses. Once running between Colaba and Mahim, the route had been discontinued, leaving a void in the hearts of transport lovers. Now, thanks to IAS SVR Srinivas, a piece of Mumbai’s century-old legacy is back on the streets.
SVR Srinivas, a 1991-batch IAS officer, has earned a reputation for transforming urban infrastructure. Prior to joining BEST, he played a key role as the CEO of Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), where he accelerated key metro projects and improved traffic management. Known for his data-driven governance and public-centric approach, he has also served as Municipal Commissioner in various cities across Maharashtra. His leadership at BEST is being hailed for revitalising one of the city’s most loved public transport systems.
With the reintroduction of Route No. 1, Srinivas has not only honoured Mumbai’s transport history but also reconnected citizens with their roots—one bus at a time.
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