BEST fare hike sparks resentment as commuters pay double
With Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus fare hikes taking effect in the city, passengers had to shell out double the fare that they have been used to paying, leading to resentment and anger amongst commuters on Friday. From Friday, the BEST doubled its minimum fare where non-AC bus fares have risen from Rs […]
With Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus fare hikes taking effect in the city, passengers had to shell out double the fare that they have been used to paying, leading to resentment and anger amongst commuters on Friday.
From Friday, the BEST doubled its minimum fare where non-AC bus fares have risen from Rs 5 to Rs 10, and AC fares from Rs 6 to Rs 12. The fare was hiked to shore up the financially strained transport body.
Many passengers were unaware of the price hike; it came as a surprise to most. “I wasn’t even aware the fares had gone up. It might not bother a person like me who takes the bus occasionally, but for commuters, it makes all the difference. They’re the backbone of the system, and doubling the fare for them doesn’t seem right. Public transport is meant to be the lifeline of the common man, not something that makes him think twice to step on a bus,” said Arvind Vaghaila, 69, a retired trader from Dadar.
The fare hike follows BEST’s revenues slipping below Rs 700 crore a year over the past two years. Officials believe that the new fare would generate an additional Rs 590 crore a year. But for the commuters, that’s hardly a comfort.
“I catch a bus from my neighborhood which is not only the only choice, but the best,” said Babulnath resident Uddhesh Pandey. “As fares increase, even though it’s still cheaper than a taxi, public transport has to be affordable for all. The cost of living continues to increase, and we have to depend on modes like buses to survive,” he added.
Not every voice was against the fare increase. Vignesh, a Girgaon resident and a store owner in Colaba, recognised the economic fact of operating a transport system. “Inflation is hitting everything. We cannot expect the government to bear all the cost. Sometimes we tend to forget that these services require money to operate as well,” he said.
Pramod Dhuri, an IT engineer who travels by BEST bus daily for his work to Chandivali from Ghatkopar supported the fare hike but not directly to double. “Bus fare hikes do not bother the working middle class as they still remain cheaper than any other modes, but whether or not to directly double them is a question. A nominal hike to stabilise BEST’s problems was fine,” Dhuri said.
Naresh S is a Trainee Correspondent with The Indian Express, based out of Mumbai. A graduate of Xavier’s Institute of Communication (XIC), he has an avid interest in civic issues and policy-related domains. At present, he reports on the transport sector, covering suburban railways, BEST bus serives and aviation with a propensity for in-depth analyses and researched-focused reportage.
Core Coverage Areas:
Naresh reports on Mumbai’s urban mobility and public systems, with a focus on transport infrastructure, commuter safety, and policy execution. His reporting is research-driven and data-backed, aimed at explaining how large public systems function or fail, for everyday commuters.
Transport (Primary Beat):
His main beat is transport, covering Mumbai’s suburban railways and BEST bus services. His reportage in this domain spans detailed coverage of events like the Mumbra train accident and its safety implications, as well as follow-up reporting on long-standing gaps such as the delayed implementation of automatic doors on Mumbai local trains. He also tracks infrastructure projects, operational disruptions, and policy decisions affecting daily commuters, often through explainer-style stories.
Aviation (Secondary Beat):
Naresh also covers aviation and airport infrastructure, including reporting on the Navi Mumbai International Airport project. His aviation coverage has included the IndiGo flight disruptions in December 2025, focusing on passenger impact, regulatory response, and systemic issues within civil aviation operations. ... Read More
