BEST Memories Ever: Mumbai’s Beloved Bus Turns into India’s First Double-Decker Museum-on-Wheels

For over 15 years, the red double-decker bus—series number 4007/BM/A—was more than just a mode of transport for Mumbaikars. It was a moving landmark, a familiar sight on busy streets, and a silent companion on countless journeys. Today, that very icon has been reborn as Sangrahika, India’s first museum-on-wheels dedicated entirely to double-deckers. Its new permanent address? Anik Depot, home of the BEST Museum.Painstakingly restored, the classic Ashok Leyland Routemaster-style bus—with its open rear platform, single-cab driver cabin, and vintage red charm—has been transformed into a walk-through museum. Two decks now brim with history, nostalgia, and stories that shaped Mumbai’s transport heritage.More Than a Bus, a SymbolCurated by Yatin Pimpale and assistant Ambadas Garje, with invaluable help from BEST engineers and bus enthusiasts, Sangrahika isn’t just about mechanical marvels. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the double-deckers that once ruled Mumbai’s streets.“These buses stood tall in crises—the 1983 power outage, the 26/7 floods, rail strikes—you could always count on them,” Pimpale recalls. “They weren’t just buses; they were part of the city’s identity.”Inside, visitors find memorabilia, photographs, international double-decker models, and even Bollywood clips—from romantic rides in Shaan to dramatic chases in Arjun—reminding everyone how deeply these buses were woven into pop culture.Rescued by Mumbai’s HeartThe museum exists today because Mumbai’s bus lovers refused to let history be scrapped. IT professional Shubham Bharat Padave’s passionate appeal to the BEST administration and state leaders echoed the city’s sentiment:“The red double-decker wasn’t just a vehicle; it was an emotion.”Rupak Dhakate, who started the preservation movement in 2020, remembers the joyrides during the farewell run. “It was our way of saying thank you. I’m glad patience paid off.”From 1937 to ForeverMumbai’s first double-deckers arrived in 1937 to tackle rising congestion. With a 75-seat capacity versus the 45 of single-deckers, they carried more passengers without taking extra road space—perfect for the city’s narrow streets.Many were modeled on London’s iconic Routemasters, famed for their open rear and bright red design. Ashok Leyland adapted them for Indian conditions but kept their British elegance.On August 7—BEST Day—Sangrahika officially opened to the public, marking not just the preservation of a bus but the safeguarding of a city’s collective memory. It stands as a reminder of an era when the rumble of a double-decker meant the city was alive and moving forward.