History Of Tram Service In Mumbai

The first horse tram, begun on 9 May 1874 on two routes Colaba to Pydhonie via Crawford Market, and Bori Bunder to Pydhonie. It were drawn by two horses and some trams even by six to eight horses. The cost of riding the tram was one annas which had speed of 5 miles per hour.

The above image shows the horse tram with two horses carrying passengers from Kalbadevi to Pydhonie and Secretariat to Rampart Row in 1874.

Trams served the for almost 90 years. The Britishers proposed the project in 1864 and awarded the contract to the company – Stearns and Kitteredge in 1873.

The areas connected by tram was Grant Road, Pydhonie, Girgaum, Byculla bridge and Sassoon Dock. After the introduction of electric trams, the route was extended till King Circle. Dadar was the main tram terminus, till today it is known as Dadar T.T.

Below are some of the facts about Tram services in Mumbai:

– First tram service (horse-pulled): May 9, 1874

–  In 1907, the Bombay Electric Supply and Tramways Company (B.E.S.T.) purchased Bombay Tramway Company Limited (B.T.C.L.) and began operating the city’s first electric tram system. shortly after the horse-drawn tram system closed down.

–  First electric tram: May 7, 1907.

–  BEST launched its motorised bus service on July 15, 1926. First BEST bus.

–  Double-deck tram service began in September 1920; at the peak of service in 1935, 433 trams ran on 47 kilometres.

Last Tram Service in Mumbai

On 31st March 1964, the last tram travelled on the streets of Mumbai between Bori Bunder and Khodadad tram terminus (now Dadar T.T.). The last tram was scheduled at 10pm from Bori Bunder. To bid farewell large crowd gathered and the tram was packed to full capacity.

Image source: Twitter.com

Below photos shows the horse tram near Flora Fountain in 1880:

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Photo source: oldphotosbombay.blogspot.com

Above is the First electic tram car ran in Bombay on May 7, 1907. 

In 1907, Bombay Electric Supply and Transport Company (BEST) took over and introduced electric trams. Later double decker trams were introduced in 1920.

By 31st March 1964 the trams were abandoned due to growth in traffic and fast paced life of Mumbai.

Video of Tram Tracks found at Flora Fountain during road construction work in 2016:

Read – Information on Trams in India