BEST proposes to double minimum ride fare to ₹10

Long-distance fares could increase by ₹5 for every 5 km after the initial 20 km

- Shashank Rao

MUMBAI: BEST commuters will need to brace themselves for a fare hike. The Undertaking has proposed a minimum fare of ₹10, up from the current ₹5 for non-AC buses, while the AC bus minimum fare could also double from ₹6 to ₹12. Additionally, long-distance fares that were ₹20 and ₹25 for non-AC and AC buses for any number of kilometres, could increase by ₹5 for every 5 km after the initial 20 km. Interestingly, the BEST had reduced bus fares in 2019.

The BMC, which is the parent organisation of BEST, has approved its proposal, a fact confirmed by municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. Sources said the fare hike proposal has been sent to the state government.

According to BEST officials, the Undertaking has doubled the fares, which have not been hiked for more than six years, after they were reduced in 2019.