Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has proposed a significant increase in bus fares, sparking concerns among daily commuters.
The proposed fare hike, which aims to address the financial challenges faced by the transport service, has been met with criticism from various quarters. Under the new fare structure, the minimum fare for non-AC buses is set to rise from ₹5 to ₹10, while AC bus fares will increase from ₹6 to ₹12 for a 5 km journey. For longer distances, the fare hike is even more pronounced. For instance, a 50 km journey on a non-AC bus will cost ₹60, up from ₹20, marking a 200% increase. Similarly, the fare for the same distance on an AC bus will rise to ₹65 from ₹25, a 160% hike.
The proposal has been approved by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, who also serves as the BEST Administrator. The next step is for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) to grant final approval. The fare hike is being introduced to address the mounting financial losses of the BEST Undertaking, which has accumulated over ₹9,200 crore in liabilities, primarily due to the transport division. The electricity division remains profitable, but the transport services have been operating at a loss, with monthly expenditures significantly exceeding revenues.
While the fare increase aims to make the transport service financially sustainable, it has raised concerns about affordability for daily commuters, especially those from lower-income groups. Commuter rights activists have expressed apprehension that the fare hike could deter people from using public transport, potentially leading to increased traffic congestion and environmental degradation. The BEST Undertaking has stated that the fare hike is necessary to improve the quality of services, including the introduction of new buses and the enhancement of existing infrastructure. However, critics argue that without corresponding improvements in service quality and frequency, the fare increase may not be justified.
As the proposal awaits final approval, it remains to be seen how the fare hike will impact Mumbai’s public transport landscape and whether it will achieve the intended financial sustainability without adversely affecting the daily commuters who rely on the service.
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