'I Can't Afford To Spend Rs 24-30 Daily': Mumbai Commuters React With Anger To BEST Bus Fare Hike

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has doubled the bus fare from Friday. Due to this, the daily commuters have expressed strong anger following a sharp increase in ticket prices for BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) buses.

The minimum fare for non-AC buses has doubled from Rs 5 to Rs 10, while for AC buses it has gone up from Rs 6 to Rs 12. The fare hike has sparked outrage among regular passengers, many of whom claim that spending Rs 24–30 daily on travel is unaffordable.

AC Bus Ticket

The fare revision was approved by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA), and BEST officials stated that this change is aimed at addressing the organisation’s severe financial crisis. Over the past two years, passenger revenue has fallen below Rs 700 crore annually. The revised fare structure is expected to generate an additional Rs 590 crore per year, according to a PTI report.

Previously, fares were relatively low due to a 2019 initiative by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to reduce travel costs and attract more commuters. The current fare hike reverses that effort, with non-AC bus fares now ranging from Rs 10 for 5 km to Rs 60 for 50 km. AC bus fares have similarly increased, starting at Rs 12 and going up to Rs 65 for the same distance. Travel beyond 50 km will incur an additional Rs 5 for every 5 km.

To ease the burden on families, BEST has reinstated half-ticket concessions for children aged 5 to 12. However, passengers continue to raise concerns over the quality and frequency of service, especially as the bus fleet has shrunk due to the scrapping of old vehicles. This price hike is making daily commuters unhappy to travel by BEST bus.

An X post shared by BEST Bus Transport discussed the increase in fares for daily commuters. They mentioned all the categories listed in the post, including details about adult and children's fares. They added a caption in the post: "Following are the details of the revised bus fare w.e.f. 09.05.2025."

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