Mumbai as a city was heavily influenced by the British as one of the most important business centres and ports in the country. The influence is evident in the architecture of the buildings in South Mumbai, and how things ran at one point of time. Now, bringing an era gone by in a more advanced avatar, Mumbai roads are all set to witness the return of Victorian carriages soon. While the original carriages were drawn by horses, the newer ones will be all-electric and that makes them all the more interesting.
Transport company, UBO Ridez has set-up these electric carriages in South Mumbai that will cover important scenic locations like the Gateway of India, Nariman Point, Flora Fountain, Kala Ghoda, Marine Drive and Girgaum Chowpatty. The carriages will also take you on heritage tours with an in-built speaker telling you more about a site at each location. The company is beginning operations with 12 such carriages that have the same style and feel as the Victoria carriages of the past. They will have a range of 70-80 km on a single charge with a top speed of 20 kmph.
The rides will be divided into a shorter route that is priced at Rs. 500 or a longer route that is priced at Rs. 750 for up to six passengers. The services will be operational from 4 pm to 2 am. Customers can also do a group booking that works out Rs. 83-125 per person. The short route covers a ride starting from Marine Drive at Nariman Point to Mantralaya, taking a roundabout and going back to Nariman Point via Air-India building. The long route starts from Nariman Point, Marine Drive, Flora Fountain, Kala Ghoda and with a drop at the Gateway of India.
UBO Ridez is also looking to start such electric carriages in other parts of the city, namely the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Five Gardens, Bandra Bandstand, Juhu and in Navi Mumbai. The transport department has given permission for 120 such electric carriages across the state. Out of these 40-45 units will be run in Mumbai alone by December this year.
