It’s a blast from the past for Mumbaikars with a modern twist! The Maharashtra Tourism is all set to bring back the old charm of Mumbai with the launch of Victoria 2.0, the eco-friendly and hi-tech carriages for locals and tourists. In the one of a kind initiative, 12 battery operated carriages are set to roll out on the streets of old Mumbai. These e-carriages pose no harm to animals and will be equipped with GPS-driven audio tours for an information packed ride. In the first phase, the e-carriages will run at the city’s renowned landmarks such as the Gateway of India, Marine Drive and Nariman Point. One hopes that these carriages will serve as another tourist attraction and an addition to the city’s historical treasures and rich heritage. If you are visiting Mumbai anytime soon, don’t forget to hop on these rides.
The carriages are currently operational in South Mumbai area and allows you to sit back and appreciate the beautiful colonial architecture in the city. The carriage ride also promises to narrate the history of the city’s wonders. The vehicles are equipped with modern facilities and also come with Bluetooth speakers if you wish to put on your favourite songs and glide on the streets of maximum city. They are also equipped with a GPS Intelligent Proximity Triggering dynamic software that triggers one’s multilingual commentary precisely at the right place each and every time about museums, historic and cultural sites which enhances visitors experiences.
Quick check:
Seating capacity — Six persons will be allowed per carriage plus one driver
Timing — The e-buggies will run from 4pm to 2am
Cost — The charges are INR 500 and INR 750 for short and long rides respectively. There will be red and black carriages which will run at a speed of less than 20km/hour
Covid 19 guidelines before you hop on: The carriages are operated by lithium-ion batteries which are eco-friendly. They will have sanitisation stands and be cleaned after each ride, and everyone is expected to wear a mask on board as per the protocols. Talking about the booking facilities, Ketan Kadam, Founder & CEO, UBO Ridez Pvt Ltd, mentions, “We are encouraging E-wallet payments through all popular E-wallet platforms. As for the bookings, we are also tying up with multiple platforms such as Khaki Tours, Bookmyshow and our own Facebook and Instagram pages.”
(The information and pictures are courtesy Directorate of Tourism, Govt. of Maharashtra)