Mumbai's daily commuters will soon have to dig deeper into their pockets as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has approved a major fare hike for BEST buses, the first since 2018. The proposal, awaiting final approval from the state government, could take effect within weeks.

Under the new structure, non-AC bus fares will double from ₹5 to ₹10 for short trips, while AC bus fares will rise from ₹6 to ₹12. Longer-distance fares and monthly passes will also see sharp increases, with a 5 km non-AC monthly pass jumping from ₹450 to ₹800.

The decision comes in the wake of mounting losses faced by the BEST undertaking, which has already received over ₹11,000 crore in subsidies from the BMC over the past decade. Officials say the hike is essential to keep the public transport system afloat, but commuters fear the increased costs could strain already tight budgets.

Here's the revised fare structure-

Non-AC buses:
Up to 5 km: ₹5 – ₹10
Up to 10 km: ₹10 – ₹15
Up to 15 km: ₹15 – ₹20
Up to 20 km: ₹20 – ₹30

Air-conditioned buses:
Up to 5 km: ₹6 – ₹12
Up to 10 km: ₹13 – ₹20
Up to 15 km: ₹19 – ₹30
Up to 20 km: ₹30 – ₹35

Non-AC bus monthly passes:
5 km pass: ₹450 – ₹800
10 km pass: ₹1,000 – ₹1,250
15 km pass: ₹1,650 – ₹1,700
20 km pass: ₹2,600 (unchanged)

Air-conditioned bus monthly passes:
5 km pass: ₹600 – ₹1,100
10 km pass: ₹1,400 – ₹1,700
15 km pass: ₹2,100 –> ₹2,300
20 km pass: ₹2,700 –> ₹3,500

Many citizen groups have urged authorities to reconsider, warning of a potential shift to private transport and added pressure on Mumbai’s roads. This fare hike would likely affect approximately 31 lakh daily commuters in Mumbai.