You may have to shell out more for your daily bus ride

After a hike in water and sewerage charges and cab fares, Mumbaiites may now have to shell out more for their daily bus travel as well.

After a hike in water and sewerage charges and cab fares, Mumbaiites may now have to shell out more for their daily bus travel as well.

HT Image

Speaking to HT, Ashok Patil, the newly-elected chairperson of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply Transport (BEST) undertaking, hinted at a possible revision of bus fares. He said the issue would be discussed at the committee meeting on April 3.

The Bhandup corporator said that fares for the undertaking's public bus service have not been revised for more than a decade and are presently among the lowest in the country. "The transport wing of BEST is incurring losses. A revision in tariff will be discussed in the committee meeting. The outcome will be presented before the civic house and the final approval will be given by the general body," said Patil.

The BEST administration had, earlier this month, proposed a revised tariff plan to the BEST committee.

Explaning they would do their best to explore other avenues for generating funds, Patil said. "We will discuss how to revise fares with minimum incovenience to commuters. We will also explore other options such as renting out a part of the depot space and making money through selling advertising space on bus stops and buses," he added.

With regard to improving services, the chairman said: "I will meet depot managers and union leaders to understand their. I will focus on student reservations in buses, and increasing ladies special buses in the city."