Mumbai News: AMAB Slams BEST Fare Hike, Depot Redevelopment In Letter To CM, Calls It Blow To Working Class
In a strongly worded letter addressed to Maharashtra Chief Minister on May 5th, public transport advocacy group Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST (AMAB) has raised serious objections to the proposed doubling of minimum bus fares by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking and the redevelopment of key bus depots.
The letter, signed by AMAB Convenor Vidyadhar Date and Co-Convenor Hussain Indorewala, warns that these measures will severely burden Mumbai’s working-class citizens and undermine the city’s already stressed public transport system.
According to AMAB, the fare hike — approved by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) — will disproportionately affect low-income commuters, pushing many toward costlier and less efficient alternatives such as shared autos and taxis. The group argues this shift will further aggravate traffic congestion and commuting times in a city already battling infrastructure pressure.
“The fare hike is not only regressive but counterproductive,” read the letter, citing data from 2009 to 2018 which showed declining ridership with rising fares. It notes that a fare reduction in 2019 led to a sharp increase in daily passengers from 22 lakh to 25 lakh, stabilizing at 29 lakh post-pandemic — despite fewer buses and route shortages.
The group also strongly criticized the planned redevelopment of depots in Bandra, Deonar, and Dindoshi. Citing a past failure to recover nearly Rs 300 crore from private developers involved in earlier redevelopment deals, AMAB alleged that such projects enrich builders at the cost of public infrastructure. The letter reminded authorities of former Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta’s 2018 statement rejecting depot monetisation, calling the land “family silver” and essential for BEST’s future growth.
Further, AMAB attacked the wet-leasing model — where private contractors supply buses — labelling it a “disaster” that has led to increased financial losses, declining service quality, and rising social costs. Despite a largely privatised fleet, BEST’s transport division reported losses exceeding Rs 2,160 crore in 2022–23.
The group has put forward four key demands. First, they are calling for an immediate rollback of the fare hike. Second, they want the cancellation of the depot monetisation plans. Third, they are demanding the implementation of the February 2024 decision to transfer Rs 9,221 crore to BEST as a budgetary grant from the BMC. Lastly, they are urging the replacement of wet-leased buses with a fully public fleet comprising at least 6,000 BEST-owned buses.
Framing the issue as one of social justice, AMAB stated the current policies punish the poor while prioritising infrastructure for private vehicle owners. “Public transport is not meant to be a profit-making venture. It is an essential service,” the letter emphasized.
Four key demands
Immediate rollback of the fare hike.
Cancellation of depot monetisation plans.
Implementation of the February 2024 decision to transfer Rs 9,221 crore to BEST as a BMC budgetary grant.
Replacement of wet-leased buses with a fully public fleet of at least 6,000 BEST-owned buses.
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