BEST Undertaking Increases Bus Pass Rates

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking, responsible for providing bus services within the metropolitan region, has implemented a substantial hike in rates for daily, weekly, and monthly passes effective 1 March, with some increases nearing 100 per cent.

This rate adjustment coincides with a period where the BEST is currently without a full-time general manager, with officials asserting that the hike is intended to bolster the undertaking's financial stability.

Previously, the BEST offered passes across four categories, catering to different fare structures for single journeys, with commuters having the flexibility to select from three slabs based on the number of trips permitted within a specified duration. Pass rates ranged from Rs 59 for a daily pass to Rs 1499 for a monthly pass encompassing 150 trips, where the fare per journey was Rs 25.

Explaining the rationale behind the hike, a spokesperson for the BEST mentioned, "We were facing trouble returning the change to commuters who bought passes, so we have rounded off the rates. The hike will also help us improve our financial condition."

The steepest hike applies to monthly passes spanning 28 days, particularly for the slab offering the maximum number of trips. For instance, the monthly pass for 150 trips, where the fare per journey is Rs 6, has surged from Rs 299 to Rs 600. 

Similarly, for journeys priced at Rs 13 per trip, the rate has risen from Rs 749 to Rs 1,400. The cost of the monthly unlimited pass has also been adjusted, increasing from Rs 750 to Rs 900.

Notably, the minimum fares for AC and non-AC buses remain unaffected, standing at Rs 5 and Rs 6, respectively. Officials assure that subsidies for senior citizens and school children have been maintained without alterations. Commuters can avail passes at the revised rates through the BEST smart card or the Chalo App.

The adjustments in pass rates signify the BEST's efforts to navigate financial challenges and enhance operational sustainability amidst evolving circumstances. As commuters adapt to the revised fare structure, the undertaking aims to ensure the continued provision of efficient and reliable bus services across the metropolitan region.