Attention Mumbaikars! BMC Clears Steep BEST Fare Hike; Minimum Bus Fare Doubled From ₹5 To ₹10

Mumbai: In a move that will directly impact over 31 lakh daily commuters, the BMC has approved a sharp fare hike for bus services operated by Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking in the city. As per the new decision, the minimum fare of BEST buses will be doubled.

The decision, which aims to revive the financially troubled public transport service, has received approval from the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and awaits final clearance from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA).

BMC Commissioner Gives Confirmation On Fare Hike

Municipal Commissioner Dr. Bhushan Gagrani confirmed the development in a statement to FPJ, noting that the fare hike was unavoidable given the grim financial condition of the undertaking. Once implemented, the minimum fare for non-AC buses will rise from Rs 5 to Rs 10, while AC bus fares will start at Rs 12 instead of Rs 6.

Monthly & Weekly Passes To Get Expensive As Well

Monthly and weekly passes have also seen substantial hikes. A 5 km non-AC monthly pass will now cost Rs 800, up from Rs 450, while its AC counterpart will jump from Rs 600 to Rs 1,100. For a 20 km commute, the non-AC pass will cost Rs 2,600, up from Rs 2,200, and the AC pass will soar to Rs 3,500 from Rs 2,700.

BEST, which has received over Rs 11,000 crore in subsidies from the Mumbai civic body over the past decade, has long struggled with mounting losses. With the BMC citing its own budgetary constraints, further financial bailouts were ruled out, leaving fare hikes as the only viable path forward.

While officials argue that the increase is crucial to modernize and sustain the city’s bus network, the announcement has sparked concern among commuters. Many fear that the higher fares will deter daily ridership, especially for lower-income groups already battling inflation and high living costs.

Commuter associations and citizen groups have urged the authorities to reconsider or phase in the hike, warning that the move could push more people towards overcrowded trains or private vehicles—exacerbating traffic and pollution issues across Mumbai.

The revised fare structure includes sharp increases across all distance slabs:

Non-AC Bus Fares:

Up to 5 km: Rs 5 → Rs 10

5–10 km: Rs 10 → Rs 15

10–15 km: Rs 15 → Rs 20

15–20 km: Rs 20 → Rs 30

20–25 km: Rs 20 → Rs 35

AC Bus Fares:

Up to 5 km: Rs 6 → Rs 12

5–10 km: Rs 13 → Rs 20

10–15 km: Rs 19 → Rs 30

15–20 km: Rs 25 → Rs 35

20–25 km: Rs 25 → Rs 40

Revised Monthly Pass Rates:

Non-AC:

5 km: Rs 450 → Rs 800

10 km: Rs 1,000 → Rs 1,250

20 km: Rs 2,200 → Rs 2,600

AC:

5 km: Rs 600 → Rs 1,100

10 km: Rs 1,400 → Rs 1,700

20 km: Rs 2,700 → Rs 3,500

Revised Weekly Pass Rates:

5 km: Rs 70 → Rs 140

10 km: Rs 175 → Rs 210

20 km: Rs 350 → Rs 420