Mumbai: There’s good news for commuters as they won’t have to shell out extra money from their pockets for travelling in the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) bus. The new bus fare is likely to come into effect from next week with the proposed fares below the prescribed limit in the state’s government resolution (GR) on public transport as the government will have to amend the GR. “The fare cut proposal on Wednesday was cleared by the final transport authority, the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Transport Authority and the decision will be implemented within a week,” said Hanumant Gophane, a BEST spokesperson.
Currently, the minimum BEST fare is Rs 8 for a 2-km journey and for air conditioned (AC) buses, it is Rs 20. As per the new structure, the Undertaking has revised the base fare at Rs 5 for first 5 km, Rs 10 for 10 km and Rs 15 for 15 km. For AC buses, the fares will range between Rs 6 and Rs 25. Senior official said they are aiming to increase the number of passengers commuting in BEST buses which has been reduced. “The lowering of fares, (now a rupee per km) and the rise in the fleet will revolutionise public transport scenario in the city with a minimum fare of Rs 5, lower than any share-auto or share-taxi can afford to,” he said. “The proposal has been cleared by the MMRTA and it will take two to three days for them to issue a notification after which the BEST will implement the decision,” he added.
