BEST Rules Out Any Bus Fare Hike Till March 2023

Mumbai: The BEST budget, presented on Friday for 202223, showed a deficit of Rs 2,236 crore, but promised that the undertaking will procure only electric AC buses, with 2,100 planned by 2022. Fares will be unchanged at Rs5 for 5km till March 2023.

- Somit Sen

A dedicated AC electric buses service from airport to Nariman Point and to BKC from Monday was also announced at the committee meeting.

“There will be special buses for women during peak hours, a mobile app with SOS button for women passengers in distress and 55 public recharging stations at depots and bus stations to encourage electric vehicles across Mumbai,” BEST general manager Lokesh Chandra. said

“To reduce air and noise pollution, BEST will procure only electric buses. The fleet will be augmented by 2,100 electric AC buses on wet lease. The buses procured by 2022 will be 1,400 single-deckers AC electric, 400 midi-AC, 100 mini AC and 200 AC electric double-deckers,” the budget stated, adding that the fleet will be 50% electric by March 2023 and 100% electric by March 2027.