BEST Bus Fares To Increase: BMC Approves Proposal, NDTV Marathi Reports
BEST bus fares to be hiked by as much as Rs 6.
The Mumbai Municipal Corporation has approved a fare hike for Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport buses, in a move that is expected to generate additional revenue of Rs 590 crore annually for the financial capital's public transportation provider.
Currently, the minimum fare for travelling in a non-AC bus is Rs 5 and the maximum is Rs 20, while for AC buses, fares range from Rs 6 to Rs 25. After the proposed hike, the minimum fare will double to Rs 10 for non-AC buses and Rs 12 for AC buses.
Following the revision, the fare for non-AC buses will range between Rs 10 and Rs 35, while AC bus fares will be between Rs 12 and Rs 40.
In 2019, BEST had reduced bus fares to boost ridership and restructured its fare system, capping the maximum fare after 20 km at Rs 20 for non-AC and Rs 25 for AC buses. Now, the maximum distance slab will be revised to 25 km.
According to NDTV Marathi sources, S.V.R. Srinivas proposed the fare hike in February 2025 after taking additional charge as BEST General Manager. The move is expected to help BEST generate an additional Rs 590 crore in revenue.
Currently, BEST carries 31 lakh passengers daily with a fleet of 2,186 buses, of which 847 are owned by BEST. Ticket sales presently bring in around Rs 845 crore annually. With the fare hike, annual revenues are projected to rise to approximately Rs 1,400 crore.
