Kolkata's iconic double decker buses return after over 15 years: In pics

Kolkata: After almost fifteen years, Kolkata's iconic double-decker buses have made a comeback. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday (October 13, 2020) introduced two double-decker buses that are all set to hit the road ahead of the Durga Puja. 

 

 

The buses are blue in colour and have a roof-open seating arrangement identical to city ride buses of London. 

 

 

(Photo: PTI)

During the flag-off ceremony of the double-decker buses, the West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, “We have tried to replicate the London double-decker buses. Two buses have so far been acquired by the Tourism Department. The buses will take people around the tourist spots of the city. With time, we will add more buses and revise routes.” 

 

 

Notably, she had promised to transform Kolkata into London in 2009 and had also mentioned in the Lok Sabha election manifesto in the same year. 

 

 

(Photo: ANI)

The double-decker bus trail will cover the iconic landmarks like Victoria Memorial, Fort William, St. John’s Chuch, GPO, Old Currency Building, Great Eastern Hotel, Eden Gardens among others. 

 

 

(Photo: IANS)

This project by the state tourism department has been named as Kolkata connect 2020. 

 

 

(Photo: Zee Media)

The online booking for these double-decker buses will begin from Wednesday onwards. Since there are two buses - the first bus ride will begin at 10:30 am and end at 1:30 pm, the second bus ride will begin at 11:30 am and end by 2:30 pm. 

 

 

 

 

(Photo: Zee Media)

This is to be noted that the double-decker buses were first introduced in Kolkata in the 1920s but were phased out in the early 1990s and the last bus went off city roads in 2005.

 

 

 

(Photo: Zee Media)

(Photo: Zee Media)