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Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
BEST fares hiked from today, to generate ₹590 crore annually
MUMBAI: Beginning today, BEST commuters will have to shell out double the minimum fare and more money for longer routes. The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) on Thursday announced its new hiked rates: ₹10 minimum fare for non-AC buses, ₹12 for AC buses and an increase of ₹5 for every 5 km after a journey of 20 km. BEST will also levy an additional ₹2 as local tax if buses cross the limits of Mumbai district. BEST sources said that the Undertaking's long routes contributed to 25% to 30% of the total 428 bus routes, ferrying 3 million to 3.2 million passengers daily. The Undertaking is also re-introducing the concessional fare for children (five to 12 years), which will be around 50% lower. The officials said that the focus would gradually be on running shorter routes and last-mile connectivity routes from the city's metro rails. There are a variety of bus passes on offer. 'A passenger can travel throughout Mumbai, and its extended suburbs and region where BEST operates,' said a BEST official. 'Students studying in private schools, colleges, universities and below 26 years can also avail of the bus pass facility. Municipal school students in uniform can travel free of cost.' For senior citizens, monthly passes for 60, 90, and 120 trips will be available at a discount of ₹50. Free travel facility will be available for blind and handicapped persons with the use of the CHALO smart card. BEST officials pointed out that bus fares had not been hiked for more than six years and were, in fact, reduced in 2019. 'The hiked rates will generate ₹590 crore annually,' said an official. 'We will place orders for wet-lease buses and intend to increase our owned bus fleet as well.' As per an MoU with the BEST unions, the Undertaking is supposed to have 3,337 buses in its owned fleet. At present, it has 2,758 buses, which it intends taking to 3,500 buses by March 2026 and 6,000 buses by 2029. This will help in improving the current statistic of 20 buses for 100,000 passengers to the global norm of 60 buses per 100,000. 'We will be able to bring down waiting time as well from the present 30-40 minutes to 15-20 minutes,' said another BEST official, adding that even after the fare hike, BEST was a much cheaper option for citizens.
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.
