Mumbai marks 100 years of motorbus services with historic journey recreation
On July 15, 2026, bus enthusiasts and heritage campaigners in Mumbai celebrated the 100th anniversary of the city's motorbus services by recreating the historic first bus journey. The commemorative event marked exactly one century since the pioneering motorbus service first hit the local roads on July 15, 1926, a milestone that transformed urban mobility across the city.
The centenary landmark has also sparked a renewed campaign among transit enthusiasts to secure official heritage support and funding for the BEST Museum. Campaigners are actively urging authorities to recognize Mumbai's rich bus legacy, arguing that the city's bus history deserves the same level of recognition and preservation funding as its historic railway heritage.
As part of the centenary, a model of the city's very first motorbus was showcased. The detailed model was crafted by Yatin Pimpale, the former curator of the BEST Museum, to represent the vehicle that initiated public motorbus transit in Mumbai a century ago.
According to transport campaigners, the 100-year anniversary serves as a critical moment to advocate for the preservation of the city's transport history. The recreation of the original 1926 journey was organized to pay tribute to the historic service and to highlight the legacy of urban mobility.
Enthusiasts hope that the milestone will successfully bring much-needed heritage backing and funding to the BEST Museum to ensure Mumbai's bus legacy is preserved.
