Latest news with #BrihanmumbaiElectricSupplyandTransport
Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
BEST conductors grapple with paucity of loose change
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has been grappling with complaints from conductors regarding the paucity of loose change since bus fares were hiked on May 9. The shortage has forced conductors to issue more credit notes to passengers than earlier, pushing up the daily average of credit notes from ₹700 to ₹1,100, said sources. The problem is especially acute in airconditioned buses plying on short-distance ring routes, wherein the fare was hiked from ₹6 to ₹12, the sources added. 'Earlier, when passengers on ring routes paid us ₹10, we would have to return ₹5 in case of non-AC buses and ₹4 in case of AC buses,' a BEST conductor told Hindustan Times. 'But after the hike in minimum fare to ₹10 for non-AC buses and ₹12 for AC buses, we must return ₹8 or ₹10, which is a major problem due to the shortage of loose change.' BEST conductors are provided coins worth ₹125 everyday for several years now, said BEST sources. But far more ₹20 coins and notes are in circulation compared to ₹10 coins and notes, which is compounding the problem, said BEST union members. 'I myself have received several complaints about passengers arguing with conductors regarding returning loose change,' said BEST union leader Subhash Samant. As per standard practice, when conductors do not have loose change, they write the amount payable to passengers on the backside of their tickets. These 'credit notes' must be encashed at the BEST depot in Wadala and it is not possible to use them to pay for other bus journeys, said sources in BEST. 'There is a need to decentralise the disbursal of credit notes so that passengers don't spend extra to collect their own money, which at times could be lesser than the amount spent on travelling to Wadala depot,' said a BEST official. According to figures from BEST, between May 1 and May 8, BEST issued credit notes worth ₹5,746. But from May 9, when fares were hiked, till May 20, credit notes worth ₹12,621 were issued by conductors. 'The BEST administration should have thought about these issues prior to increasing fares. They should have spoken to banks for dispensing more coins,' said a commuter who did not wish to be identified. Meanwhile, the use of Chalo cards for purchasing tickets is slowly picking up, with 15-20% passengers using the cards now.
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
How to use Google Maps for real-time tracking of Mumbai's BEST buses
Mumbai's most sought-after public transport provider, Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), has partnered with Google Maps to offer real-time tracking of its buses. Rolled out on May 8, the new feature will allow commuters to plan journeys better by knowing exactly when their bus will arrive, cutting down uncertainty, long waits at stops, and even unnecessary detours. The integration lets commuters see the latest information on bus arrivals, delays, and route choices directly from their Google Maps app. The Maharashtra government kicked off the service, terming it a move towards creating smarter and more efficient public transportation. What do commuters get out of Google Maps-BEST integration? The service provides Google Maps users with live updates of BEST buses like route options, estimated arrival times, departure times, and even delays, if any. All buses are colour coded on the app with specifics — green for being on time and red for a delay. For example, a commuter in Sion waiting at the bus stop to go to Churchgate can now look up the app before heading out, check if the bus is late, and make a faster choice to wait or change routes, or switch to a different vehicle. It is particularly helpful during peak hours when time is most valuable. How does the feature add efficiency to passengers' journeys? With real-time location information, Google Maps recently provides live route options that integrate multiple modes of transport — BEST buses, local trains, metro lines, autos, and taxis. Passengers going from Andheri to Fort, for instance, will receive a travel guide step-by-step based on the quickest and most dependable connections. It assists individuals in deciding not just the ideal route but also the time to depart from their office or residence. For intermodal travel across Mumbai's busy zones, this integration offers unmatched convenience with BEST being at the epicentre. What options does the app give for checking specific stops, buses? Google Maps now allows users to search for a particular bus stop to view upcoming buses and their live status. If one is already close to a destination and wishes to know which buses are coming, the individual can enter the stop name, and all GPS-equipped buses will pop up with an estimated time of arrival. On the other hand, it also provides information on the nearest bus stop to them, in case one is not aware. This will be useful for people who don't have a fixed schedule or people who are exploring new routes. How to use the feature? 1. Open Google Maps on your Android or iOS device 2. Type in your destination and press the 'Go' icon 3. Type in the start and end points 4. Choose the 'Public Transport' mode (tram icon) 5. See live bus arrival times and delays displayed in red or green 6. Tap a bus stop to view which buses are arriving and when How easy is it for users in Mumbai's multilingual masses? Recognising the diversity of its users, the feature is available in Hindi, Marathi, and English. Commuters can easily switch between languages using either the Google Maps settings or their phone's language settings. Whether one is helping an elderly family member or using the app in their preferred language, the multilingual support ensures it is inclusive and user-friendly for all.
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
BEST fare hike sparks resentment as commuters pay double
With Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus fare hikes taking effect in the city, passengers had to shell out double the fare that they have been used to paying, leading to resentment and anger amongst commuters on Friday. From Friday, the BEST doubled its minimum fare where non-AC bus fares have risen from Rs 5 to Rs 10, and AC fares from Rs 6 to Rs 12. The fare was hiked to shore up the financially strained transport body. Many passengers were unaware of the price hike; it came as a surprise to most. 'I wasn't even aware the fares had gone up. It might not bother a person like me who takes the bus occasionally, but for commuters, it makes all the difference. They're the backbone of the system, and doubling the fare for them doesn't seem right. Public transport is meant to be the lifeline of the common man, not something that makes him think twice to step on a bus,' said Arvind Vaghaila, 69, a retired trader from Dadar. The fare hike follows BEST's revenues slipping below Rs 700 crore a year over the past two years. Officials believe that the new fare would generate an additional Rs 590 crore a year. But for the commuters, that's hardly a comfort. 'I catch a bus from my neighborhood which is not only the only choice, but the best,' said Babulnath resident Uddhesh Pandey. 'As fares increase, even though it's still cheaper than a taxi, public transport has to be affordable for all. The cost of living continues to increase, and we have to depend on modes like buses to survive,' he added. Not every voice was against the fare increase. Vignesh, a Girgaon resident and a store owner in Colaba, recognised the economic fact of operating a transport system. 'Inflation is hitting everything. We cannot expect the government to bear all the cost. Sometimes we tend to forget that these services require money to operate as well,' he said. Pramod Dhuri, an IT engineer who travels by BEST bus daily for his work to Chandivali from Ghatkopar supported the fare hike but not directly to double. 'Bus fare hikes do not bother the working middle class as they still remain cheaper than any other modes, but whether or not to directly double them is a question. A nominal hike to stabilise BEST's problems was fine,' Dhuri said.
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
BEST announces fare hike to boost revenue amid financial struggles
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.
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Mumbai's BEST bus fares set to rise for the first time since 2018. Here's what you will have to pay
Mumbai residents will soon have to pay almost double the fare for using the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has given the nod to increase the fares, with the final decision left to the state government. The proposal for hiking bus fares – the first revision in BEST fares since 2018 – was given a green signal by BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. Currently, the fare for non-AC buses is between Rs 5 and Rs 20, and for AC buses it is between Rs 6 and Rs 25. After the suggested increase in fare, the minimum fare will be Rs 10 for non-AC buses and Rs 12 for AC buses. Monthly bus tickets will also get pricier under the new system. According to BEST officials, the fare hike will mitigate the financial strain on the city bus operating body. With the base fare remaining at a low of Rs 5 for so long, the organisation's revenue has been affected for many years, they added. The decision to approve the fare hike was taken after a meeting that took place on Friday, where senior officials and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis discussed the increasing losses of BEST. The officials of BEST cited that fare correction was indispensable to provide dependable service and financial stability. The proposal to hike fares was then approved by the BMC commissioner. Final implementation, however, awaits approval from the Transport and Urban Development departments. SVR Srinivas, General Manager, BEST, who took over the additional charge of the transport body this year, suggested the fare increase in February 2025. The increase is likely to increase BEST's revenue by approximately Rs 590 crore. This fare hike reverses a 2019 reduction, when the then municipal commissioner, Praveen Pardeshi, had reduced bus fares to promote ridership. According to the sources, the revised fares, once formally notified, could come into effect within the next few weeks. Revised BEST fare structure: Ordinary buses: Distance: Old fare – New fare Up to 5 km: Rs 5 – Rs 10 Up to 10 km: Rs 10 – Rs 15 Up to 15 km: Rs 15 – Rs 20 Up to 20 km: Rs 20 – Rs 30 Air-conditioned buses: Up to 5 km: Rs 6 – Rs 12 Up to 10 km: Rs 13 – Rs 20 Up to 15 km: Rs 19 – Rs 30 Up to 20 km: Rs 30 – Rs 35 Ordinary bus monthly passes: 5 km pass: Rs 450 – Rs 800 10 km pass: Rs 1,000 – Rs 1,250 15 km pass: Rs 1,650 – Rs 1,700 20 km pass: Rs 2,600 (unchanged) Air-conditioned bus monthly passes:
