Mumbai: Best Bus Fares To Be Doubled; Check Latest Ticket Prices

Pockets of Mumbai's daily commuters will face a little extra burden now as authorities have decided to increase city's bus fares. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), the lifeline for many in Mumbai, will see its fares nearly double following approval from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

This fare revision, the first since 2018, awaits the final nod from the state government. BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani has greenlit the proposal, marking a notable shift in the city's public transport fare structure.

The fare adjustment encompasses both non-air-conditioned and air-conditioned buses, signaling a substantial departure from the current pricing. Presently, non-AC bus fares range from Rs 5 to Rs 20, while AC bus fares span from Rs 6 to Rs 25. The proposed hike will elevate the minimum fare to Rs 10 for non-AC buses and Rs 12 for AC buses, affecting monthly bus ticket prices as well.

This move aims to alleviate the financial burdens faced by BEST and ensure the provision of reliable service amidst escalating operational losses.

The rationale behind this fare revision lies in the pressing need to augment BEST's revenue, which has suffered due to static base fares. Officials from BEST highlighted that sustaining the organization's financial health is crucial for its longevity and service quality. This fare hike, proposed by SVR Srinivas, General Manager of BEST, is expected to bolster the organization's revenue by an estimated Rs 590 crore.

This fare increase reverses the direction taken in 2019, when bus fares were reduced to boost ridership. The reduction, initiated by then-municipal commissioner Praveen Pardeshi, aimed at making public transport more accessible. However, the financial sustainability of BEST necessitated a reevaluation of fare structures.

Upon formal announcement, the revised fare scheme is slated to be implemented within the forthcoming weeks. The updated fare structure outlines significant adjustments across distances for both ordinary and air-conditioned buses. For instance, the fare for ordinary buses will jump from Rs 5 to Rs 10 for distances up to 5 km, and from Rs 20 to Rs 30 for distances up to 20 km.

Similarly, air-conditioned bus fares will see increases, with the fare for up to 5 km rising from Rs 6 to Rs 12. Monthly pass rates for both bus types are also set to rise, with ordinary bus passes for up to 5 km increasing from Rs 450 to Rs 800, and air-conditioned bus passes for the same distance going from Rs 600 to Rs 1,100.