Mumbai: Daily, magic pass cheaper, but no relief for students

Taking the dwindling number of passengers into account, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) administration has proposed restructuring of the daily bus and magic pass, which will effectively bring down its price.

Taking the dwindling number of passengers into account, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) administration has proposed restructuring of the daily bus and magic pass, which will effectively bring down its price. While the committee members have welcomed the move, they feel the administration should have shown similar flexibility towards students using school buses.

The fare revision in February has brought down the number of daily bus passengers to 32 lakh from last year’s 40 lakh. The restructuring will allow the 2 lakh commuters availing of the daily or monthly magic pass to pay specifically for their travel to the island city or suburbs.

So, those travelling within the island city and suburbs can get their daily pass for Rs 40 and Rs 50 respectively, while those want to travel to both can get a pass for Rs 70.

Also, commuters can get magic pass (non-air conditioned) for the island city for Rs1,175, and for the suburbs for Rs 1,200. Those who need to travel across the city will have to pay Rs 1,700 for the pass.

“If the administration can propose a restructured fare for daily and magic pass holders, why not for students,” asked Kedar Hombalkar, BEST committee member.

Till March 2015, 85,152 passengers used magic non-AC pass, while 1.5lakh passengers opted for daily bus passes. However, in the past few months the numbers have reduced by 10-20%. The details on the dip are still being compiled by the administration.

“We have witnessed a marginal drop in daily and magic bus pass holders. The change is a way to get back our passengers,” said a BEST official, on condition of anonymity.