Cityflo Buses Become Mini Libraries in Mumbai

Mumbai's daily office commute just got a whole lot more interesting. Cityflo, a popular urban bus service, has partnered with Project Mumbai to launch 'Turning Pages', an initiative that transforms select buses into mini libraries. As of September 1, 2026, commuters can now pick up a book, borrow it, exchange it, or even donate one during their journey.

The initiative is part of Project Mumbai's larger Read Mumbai movement, which aims to encourage reading across the city. The curated collection of books on the buses covers a wide range of genres, including fiction, business, self-development, biographies, and contemporary Indian writing. This means that commuters can discover new authors, explore different genres, and even recommend titles to fellow passengers.

According to Sankalp Kelshikar, CMO and co-founder of Cityflo, the daily commute is often one of the few times when Mumbaikars have time to themselves. By providing access to books, Cityflo is giving commuters the opportunity to use this time more productively. Kelshikar also emphasized that the initiative allows passengers to contribute books for others, fostering a sense of community among commuters.

Project Mumbai founder and CEO Shishir Joshi believes that the collaboration brings together Mumbai's culture of movement, partnerships, and citizen participation. The initiative seeks to tap into the goodwill of commuters and build shared community spaces in everyday settings. By providing a platform for people to share and discover books, Cityflo and Project Mumbai are promoting a culture of reading and community engagement.

Commuters have welcomed the initiative, with many expressing their excitement about having access to a wide range of books during their daily commute. Pranab Jyoti Bhuyan, a regular user of Cityflo, said that the initiative is a great way to make commuting time more productive. Mitesh Karamchandani, another regular user, agreed, saying that the variety of genres available would help him discover new books and perspectives.

The 'Turning Pages' initiative is a unique example of how public spaces can be utilized to promote reading and community engagement. By transforming buses into mini libraries, Cityflo and Project Mumbai are providing a platform for people to come together and share their love of reading. This initiative is a significant step towards promoting literacy and a culture of reading in Mumbai, and it will be interesting to see how it evolves in the coming months.

In the context of Mumbai's fast-paced and often hectic lifestyle, the 'Turning Pages' initiative is a breath of fresh air. It provides a much-needed respite from the screens that dominate our daily lives and offers a chance to engage with something more meaningful. As the initiative continues to grow and expand, it is likely to have a positive impact on the city's reading culture and community engagement.

The success of the 'Turning Pages' initiative will depend on the participation and engagement of commuters. If the response is positive, it could pave the way for similar initiatives in other public spaces, such as parks, gardens, and other modes of public transport. This could have a significant impact on the city's literacy rates and reading culture, and could even inspire other cities to follow suit.

In conclusion, the 'Turning Pages' initiative is a unique and innovative approach to promoting reading and community engagement in Mumbai. By transforming buses into mini libraries, Cityflo and Project Mumbai are providing a platform for people to come together and share their love of reading. This initiative has the potential to make a significant impact on the city's reading culture and community engagement, and it will be exciting to see how it evolves in the coming months.