BEST's AC bus fares reduced by 50% from Friday morning

MUMBAI: The fares of the air-conditioned buses of BEST will be slashed by 50% from Friday morning. The minimum fare will be reduced from existing Rs 30 for a 2 km distance to Rs 15.
The fares for ordinary buses will also be reduced for certain stages by Rs 2 for 8 km, 12 kms, 17 kms and 25 kms. The BEST will also start its Happy Hour fares for daily passes from Friday.Among the other benefits for commuters include reduction in some of the monthly/quarterly bus passes, Magic bus passes and a new corporate bus pass.
Said BEST general manager Jagdish Patil, "We have got the approvals from the BEST committee following which the BMC gave its nod. On Wednesday, we got the clearance from the MMRTA and the new fares will come into effect from July 1." Patil further stated that he expected a growth in commuters in the AC buses as well as on long distance routes in non-AC buses. "We are making efforts to increase passenger strength and curtail losses," he stated. The BEST had witnessed a reduction in passengers from 43 lakh some years back to 30 lakh daily at present. It has a target of increasing the passengers to close to 45 lakh.