Starting today, Mumbaikars will have to pay more to travel in BEST buses, as the fare hike approved by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) last month has officially come into effect.
Previously, the minimum fare for non-AC buses was ₹5 and the maximum was ₹20, while AC bus fares ranged from ₹6 to ₹25. Under the revised fare structure, the minimum fare has doubled — non-AC buses now start at ₹10 and go up to ₹35, whereas AC bus fares now range from ₹12 to ₹40.
Currently, there are only four fare stages based on distance — 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, and 20 km — beyond which the fare does not increase. However, the new fare structure, effective Friday, introduces additional stages up to 50 km.
Monthly Passes Also Costlier
Monthly passes have also seen a sharp increase. The pass for non-AC buses covering a 5 km distance has gone up from ₹450 to ₹800. A pass for 20 km now costs ₹2,600. For AC buses, a 5 km monthly pass is now priced at ₹1,100.
Concessions for Students Remain
Concessions for school and college students remain intact. Students below the age of 26 will continue to get subsidized passes. Additionally, students from BMC-run schools wearing uniforms will still enjoy free rides through the Chalo smartcard system.
According to BEST officials, this is the first fare revision since 2019. The revised structure reintroduces the half-ticket facility for children aged 5 to 12.
Move Aimed at Financial Recovery
BEST authorities state that the fare increase is essential to improve the undertaking’s financial health and to maintain consistent service delivery. However, many Mumbaikars argue that the move will hit common people hard as BEST buses are a vital and affordable mode of transport in the city.
BEST currently operates a fleet of 2,186 buses, serving approximately 3.1 million commuters daily. Of these, 847 buses are owned by BEST itself. The transport body earns around ₹845 crore annually from ticket sales, and it expects this figure to rise to ₹1,400 crore following the fare hike.
