[sustran] Reduce minimum bus fare from Rs 8 to to Rs 6 to woo commuters, suggests BEST committee members

[Vinay Baindur]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Reduce-minimum-bus-fare-from-Rs-8-to-to-Rs-6-to-woo-commuters-suggests-BEST-committee-members/articleshow/49864382.cms


Reduce minimum bus fare from Rs 8 to to Rs 6 to woo commuters, suggests
BEST committee members

Somit Sen | Nov 21, 2015, 01.00 AM IST


MUMBAI: Demanding restructuring of bus fares at Friday's BEST budget
meeting, committee members said that the minimum fare should not be more
than Rs 6. At present, the minimum BEST bus fare is Rs 8.

"There should be a low entry-level fare as more than 50% commuters travel
short distances. This will also prevent commuters from migrating to share
autos and taxis," said MNS member Kedar Hombalkar.

He also made a presentation, showing how the Bangalore municipal transport
had kept its minimum fare at Rs 5 to woo more passengers and increased the
daily passenger strength from 26 lakh to over 50 lakh.

BEST's commuter strength has dropped from 45 lakh passengers a day to less
than 30 lakh in the last few years.

Committee member Ravi Raja said there was a drop of four lakh commuters
between 2013-14 and 2014-15, which resulted in a drop of revenue by Rs 116
crore.

Committee member Shivji Singh claimed that if the minimum fare is reduced,
BEST can lure at least 10 lakh passengers back.

A senior BEST official said the undertaking, without reducing fares, plans
to woo passengers by improving services, introducing new buses and boosting
revenue by marketing its AC buses to corporates.

Raja demanded that the BEST take a call on scrapping the 250-plus AC buses.
"Unless you take a decision on the AC buses, you should not purchase 50
midi AC buses," he said. The 2016-17 BEST budget has earmarked Rs 27 crore
on repair and maintenance of AC and CNG buses.

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