Mumbai: Mumbai’s public transport scene is bracing for a double blow this May as Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) prepares to phase out a major portion of its fleet while also facing a controversial fare hike.
Reports quoting sources within BEST reveal that nearly 170 full-sized buses under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme are set to be scrapped this month. Additionally, some midi buses will also be retired, pushing BEST’s active fleet to below 2,700 buses. Of these, only about 750 buses are owned by BEST, while the remaining are operated on wet lease by private contractors.
Nearly 80% Of Full-Sized Buses To Go Off Road
The phasing out of 170 JNNURM buses will mark the removal of 80 per cent of the undertaking's full-sized buses. According to a Times of India report, by September or October, nearly all full-sized buses owned by BEST will be scrapped, except for one that will be retained for the next two years.
To counter the depletion, BEST already entered into agreements to acquire 2,100 electric buses and an additional 2,400 buses from private operators. Most of these new additions will arrive through private contracts, marking a major shift in fleet ownership and management. While this is expected to boost the eco-friendly quotient of the city's bus network, questions remain over operational consistency during the transition.
BEST Bus Fare Hike Gets MMRTA Nod
Meanwhile, a decision with widespread implications for Mumbai’s daily commuters is also on the cards. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) reportedly approved a fare hike for BEST bus services. Though an official notification is still awaited, reports quoting insiders say that the fare revision received a nod at a key meeting on Wednesday.
The revised fare structure is expected to closely follow a proposal previously approved by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), with slight modifications. The most striking change is a proposal to double the minimum fare. Substantial hikes in other fare slabs, including weekly and monthly passes, are also anticipated.
Political Outcry Over BEST Bus Fare Hike
However, the fare hike has triggered strong political opposition. Parties like Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, NCP (SP) and AIMIM have slammed the move, claiming it imposes an unfair financial burden on the city's working-class population and lower-income groups. While officials confirm the fare revision has been approved in principle, its implementation remains pending until the formal release of the meeting’s minutes.
