Mumbai: BEST reduces fares for school students

Soon, travelling on Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses using monthly pass is all set to get cheaper for school students.

The administration has reduced the cost of the monthly season ticket for both civic and private school students from Rs 200 to Rs 150 and Rs 175, respectively.

The quarterly season ticket cost for private school students has been reduced from Rs 550 to Rs 500, while the six-monthly season ticket cost has been reduced from Rs 1,000 to Rs 900 for private schools. Civic school students will have to pay Rs 450 for quarterly and Rs 750 for six-monthly season ticket.

The move, which will come into effect after an approval from the BMC general body, will benefit more than 46,000 students, said BEST general manager Jagdish Patil.

Meanwhile, the administration has also proposed a revised tariff for dedicated school buses. The monthly school bus fee for BEST school buses operated for private schools within a 10-km distance has been reduced from Rs 2,400 to Rs 1,600. The fee for buses run for civic schools within 10km has been reduced from Rs 1,800 to Rs 1,500.

BEST committee members, however, want a complete waiver for BMC students. “We are giving 27 freebies to civic school students. How can you expect us to offer free school bus facility,” asked Ravi Raja, BEST committee member.

Arvind Dudhwadkar, BEST committee chairman, said, “We have asked the mayor and group of leaders to offer free services to BMC students. We are confident of a positive reply.”