The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking has reported a significant increase in daily revenue following a recent fare hike, even as transport experts and commuter rights groups raise concerns over the broader impact on ridership and public transport accessibility.
Fare Structure Doubled for AC and Non-AC Buses
According to an official statement released on Monday, BEST recorded daily revenue of Rs 3.25 crore on August 6 one of the highest in recent months. The administration attributes this surge to a revised fare structure implemented on May 9, 2025, which doubled the minimum fare for non-AC buses from Rs 5 to Rs 10, and for AC buses from Rs 6 to Rs 12.
"The revised fare structure is a step toward sustainability. We’re not just seeing higher revenue, but also a healthy increase in footfall. This is a sign that commuters are responding well to the improvements we’re making,” a senior BEST official said, citing daily ridership figures currently at 2.5 million.
Experts Question Transparency of Figures
The fare rationalization, officials claim, is part of a broader strategy to reduce financial losses, improve service quality, and reinvest in operations. Authorities also said that a multi-platform awareness campaign spanning television, radio, print, and digital media helped ease the transition for commuters.
However, the announcement has drawn criticism from transport experts and citizen advocacy groups, who say the official narrative lacks transparency.
Safety Concerns Rise Over Overcrowded Local Trains
“BEST has conveniently not quoted the passenger count before the fare increase,” said A.V. Shenoy, noted transport analyst and co-founder of the Mumbai Mobility Forum. “To understand the full picture, we need data on pre-hike ridership, any immediate drop after the hike, and the number of buses operating before and after. Without this, this statement is more of a publicity exercise than an honest performance report.”
Prabhakar Narkar, an active member of the citizen-led movement Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST, voiced stronger criticism. “From what I know, BEST had a daily ridership of around 3.5 million before the fare hike. It’s now down to 2.5 million. That’s a loss of one million passengers — most of whom have no choice but to board already overcrowded local trains,” he said.
Call for Affordable Public Transport
“There have been instances of passengers falling from trains, and this number has increased now. It's as if the administration has pushed passengers towards death by increasing fares. The central and state governments are ultimately responsible for this. Why can't governments provide affordable travel options to the people of a city that generates significant revenue for the country?" Narkar added.
Aamchi Mumbai Aamchi BEST" is a citizen's movement advocating for the revival and improvement of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus service in Mumbai.
