Bus fare hike on hold, for now

Thank the state Assembly elections scheduled for October, for keeping your bus pass prices from jumping nearly 40 per cent, reports Shashank Rao.

Thank the state Assembly elections scheduled for October, for keeping your bus pass prices from jumping nearly 40 per cent.

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The BEST committee, comprising representatives across political parties, has kept on hold a proposal to hike prices of daily, monthly, quarterly and annually bus passes for both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses.

Speaking on the proposed hike, some of it up by 40 per cent, BEST Chairman Dilip Patel (from the BJP) said, “Members of all political parties have decided to take up this issue only after the elections are over.”

The “Magic” daily ticket, priced at Rs 15 (within city limits), Rs 20 (up to suburbs) and Rs 25 (across Mumbai, Mira-Bhayander, Navi Mumbai and Thane) was suppose to see a hike of Rs 5.

The BEST has also introduced a new kind of quarterly pass — Rs 2,000 for fast limited buses. The monthly pass stands at Rs 750, the annual pass costs Rs 8,000.

“The proposed hike in bus fares has been stalled due to the elections but we will oppose any such hike whenever it does come up for discussion,” said Ravi Raja, BEST Committee member from the Congress.

The annual Diamond Super AC pass, now priced at Rs 9,000, could rise to Rs 11,500, a hike of 28 per cent.

The monthly Diamond Super AC pass will be up by 40 per cent, from the current Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,400.

BEST General Manager Uttam Khobragade, said, “I don’t know why this proposal is not being taken up. The BEST Committee has to decide on this.”