In a first, Thane is set to get ten electric double-decker buses in its municipal transport fleet this year. Thane Municipal Transport officials said they were working on the route finalisation process for where these buses can run. “Yes, there is a plan to procure ten electric double-decker buses for Thane. The buses are expected to arrive this financial year itself by March,” Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) manager Bhalchandra Behere said.

An official said the Central government has been funding the procurement of electric public transit vehicles under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), and Thane is set to receive about 303 buses. Of these, about 123 have arrived, ferrying 2.3 lakh passengers every day. Another 180 are expected to arrive soon. Regarding the status of the funding, the official said Central government funds have been received for 86 buses, while funds for 94 are yet to come.