BEST announces fare hike to boost revenue amid financial struggles

BEST buses in Mumbai to see sharp fare hike from May 9, impacting millions; new prices, passes, discounts introduced.

Days after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) to explore alternative revenue sources, the city’s second lifeline, BEST buses, will see a sharp rise in fares, effective from May 9. In a move that will impact millions of Mumbai residents, the fare hike will see a doubling of prices for both non-AC and AC bus services.

The minimum fare for non-AC buses will increase from ₹5 to ₹10 for trips covering up to five km. Similarly, the fare for AC buses will rise from ₹6 to ₹12 for the same distance. For longer journeys, the fares will continue to escalate, with non-AC fares for a 50 km ride set at ₹60, and AC fares at ₹65. Additionally, passengers will be charged an extra ₹5 for every subsequent five km beyond 50 km.

This is the first fare revision since 2018, a period during which BEST has faced mounting challenges, including a shortage of buses and ongoing financial difficulties. The hike comes on the back of Chief Minister Fadnavis’ recent directive for BEST to generate its own revenue streams in order to address these challenges. With a current fleet of 2,186 buses, BEST is also looking to add 3,000 more buses to meet the growing demand of Mumbai’s commuters.

In addition to the fare hike, BEST has also revised its daily and monthly unlimited bus pass prices. The new daily pass will cost ₹75, while the monthly pass will be priced at ₹1,800, allowing unlimited travel across the city and its suburbs. However, there will be no change in the bus pass charges for students.

To mitigate the impact on certain sections of society, municipal school uniform students and people with disabilities can continue to travel for free using the CHALO smart card. Senior citizens using monthly passes for 60, 90, and 120 trips will also benefit from a ₹50 discount.

A new toll tax of ₹2 will also be levied on passengers crossing the boundaries of the Brihanmumbai region. Additionally, commuters opting for electronic transactions will be rewarded with 5% extra trips on their 60, 90, and 120-trip passes. For instance, those purchasing a 60-trip pass will receive three additional trips.

The fare increase is a part of BEST’s ongoing efforts to overcome its financial crisis, with ridership currently at 31 lakh passengers daily. The transport body hopes these measures will stabilize its operations and improve service delivery for Mumbai residents.