To reclaim lost ridership and compete with auto-rickshaw fares, Mumbai’s public transport body BEST is considering slashing minimum fares on short-distance routes. The revised fares could reduce AC bus tickets to ₹9 and non-AC tickets to ₹7–8 for journeys up to 3km, following a 20% commuter shift to autos after recent fare hikes.
Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking is actively examining a dynamic fare model that responds to the city’s competitive public transport landscape. With approximately one-fifth of its recent commuter base having migrated to auto-rickshaws since the latest fare increase, BEST’s proposed fare rationalisation is both a reactive and proactive step to remain viable in a rapidly evolving mobility ecosystem. The initiative is focused on feeder and short-route services where public buses directly compete with share-autos that charge a flat fare of ₹10. The proposed revision would bring down the minimum AC bus fare from ₹12 to ₹9, and non-AC fares from ₹10 to as low as ₹7 or ₹8, effectively undercutting auto fares. BEST officials believe this targeted fare strategy could encourage a modal shift back to buses, especially for passengers in the suburban and congested commercial belts.
According to senior officials, the fare adjustments are not a blanket reduction but part of a more nuanced approach to dynamic pricing that could involve the introduction of additional distance-based slabs. Sources within the undertaking revealed that a new fare band for distances between 5 to 7km could soon be introduced, potentially pricing non-AC rides at around ₹13. These refinements aim to ensure affordability for commuters while preserving financial sustainability for BEST. The fare revision plan is expected to be formally evaluated in an upcoming meeting of BEST’s administrative committee. Stakeholders are considering a broader revision of fare categories, supported by data-driven assessments of commuter patterns, service frequency, fuel costs, and operational viability.
Public transport researchers have noted that price elasticity plays a crucial role in shaping commuter preferences in cities like Mumbai, where cost-consciousness often dictates transport choices. With auto fares remaining static and perceived to offer greater convenience for short distances, buses must innovate on pricing and service quality to remain relevant. BEST’s move also comes at a time when the municipal administration is emphasising modal integration and last-mile connectivity in line with its sustainable urban mobility plan. Feeder buses, which connect commuters to metro and railway stations, have been identified as critical assets for reducing reliance on private vehicles and ensuring first-and-last-mile efficiency.
Transport experts argue that adjusting fares without compromising service quality could offer BEST a renewed competitive edge. Improved air-conditioned infrastructure, enhanced reliability, and integration with digital ticketing apps such as Chalo and NCMC-compliant smart cards are already part of BEST’s long-term passenger engagement roadmap. Meanwhile, daily commuters have welcomed the announcement, citing affordability as a decisive factor in their transport choices. “If BEST buses become cheaper than autos, especially for short trips in peak hours, I would definitely consider switching back,” said a local commuter who travels daily between Andheri and Ville Parle.
Despite financial challenges, BEST has been actively modernising its fleet. With an aggressive rollout of electric buses, supported by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) subsidies and central government schemes, the undertaking aims to become a zero-emission public transport utility by 2027. The short-route fare revision is seen as a complementary policy to sustain ridership while transitioning to cleaner energy solutions. However, experts have cautioned that fare reduction alone may not yield long-term results unless accompanied by improvements in punctuality, safety, and route frequency. A successful implementation would therefore depend on BEST’s ability to harmonise pricing with operational efficiency.
Transport analysts suggest that while dynamic fare structuring is complex, it is a necessary evolution in a multimodal urban environment where buses compete not just with autos, but also ride-hailing services, metros, and suburban rail. Keeping fares competitive while delivering quality service could help BEST reclaim its role as Mumbai’s mass transport backbone. If implemented successfully, the revised fare structure could act as a blueprint for similar initiatives in other Indian cities facing declining bus ridership due to competition from informal transport modes. In doing so, BEST would not only reaffirm its commitment to affordability and access, but also contribute to broader climate goals by promoting public over private transport.
In the coming weeks, as stakeholders deliberate on the new slabs and implementation logistics, the city will watch closely whether this fare recalibration translates into a tangible uptick in commuter numbers. The outcome may well determine how Mumbai navigates the balance between affordability, sustainability, and modernisation in its public transport future.
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