Brace to pay double or treble BEST bus fare from next wk
BEST bus fare hike
proposal, which will double the minimum bus fare for 35 lakh daily commuters.
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Fares will even treble as distances increase, said MMRTA sources, adding that the hike is expected to be implemented from next week.
The minutes of the meeting are yet to be signed, MMRTA sources said.
The minimum bus fare has increased to Rs 10 from Rs 5 for non-AC buses, and to Rs 12 from Rs 6 for AC buses for 5km distance. Significantly, the hike for 50km travel will be as high as 200% for non-AC buses and 160% for AC buses (see graphic).
Last week, BMC chief Bhushan Gagrani, who is also BEST administrator, had approved the fare hike proposal, which was then sent to MMRTA for final nod.
The fare hike is likely to improve BEST's revenue by Rs 590 crore. BEST will have to update its software for handheld ticket machines so that the new fares will be reflected on tickets issued to commuters. A BEST official said it will take a minimum of eight hours for the software and machines to be updated to reflect the revised fares.
In its Wednesday meeting, MMRTA extended the deadline for recalibration of e-meters in autos/taxis in Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Sources said the deadline is being postponed by a month. Nearly 20% of autos-taxis remain with meters yet to be recalibrated, said union leader Thampy Kurien, adding: "The recalibration process started 15 days late, and therefore there was a need to extend the deadline."
Dhaval Shah from Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens' Association said: "We are not against the fare hike, but it should go hand in hand with service improvement.
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The number of services has dipped sharply — with the fleet dropping to nearly 2,800 buses. Overcrowding and poor commuting experience have to be improved. Waiting time outside Andheri East station is 20-30 minutes, and the situation is similar outside Andheri West station too. We need to increase the bus fleet ten times."
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