A point-to-point air condition BEST bus service launched recently in Mumbai by Maharashtra Minister Aaditya Thackeray has run into a controversy over the issue of its fares, which some passengers and activists claim are “exorbitant.”
The new bus is said to provide riders with an experience like no other as it allows them access all around India without having any physical limitations on their journey.
However, this enjoyment comes at a high price: travelers have been complaining about being charged for just standing next to each other due to others sitting down or remaining seated throughout most journeys!
State Environment and Tourism Minister Aaditya Thackeray announced that he would officially inaugurate 60 new e-buses for the BEST’s point-to-point service on Sunday.
Next year, these buses are part of an electric fleet expansion plan to reduce air pollution within the MMR region (Mumbai Metropolitan Region).
The Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Department officials state fare policies have not yet been approved by their regulator – Mumbai Metro Rta Authority; however, since this bus operates solely outside city limits, it does not require approval from any other authority than local councils governed under State law where the operation takes place.”
The new fares for traveling between the city airport and Bandra Kurla Complex are ₹75, while a single trip to Nehru Planetarium costs about ₹125.
Passengers should be prepared to pay an additional amount of around 50% on top of these prices if they want their journey done in time at night when all taxis stop operating due to various norms related to traffic lights or other public transportation options like BEST buses which can take passengers from one place close by without much hassle due to its proximity as well as affordability even though there may exist services available cheaper than what’s being charged currently but only during certain hours.
According to the State Transport Commissioner, Avinash Dhakane (and MMRTA member), they have not received any proposal about the fare for this bus service.
“Proposal was not put before us,” he told PTI in response to questions on whether BEST does or doesn’t need MMTRA’s approval for its point-to-point routes, which are now being debated heavily by people all across Kolkata, with protests breaking out over these proposals as well!
The BEST committee has finally approved the fare structure for buses, which was previously denied due to regulatory issues.
The former official said unless their regulator clears it first, which seems unlikely given that public transport bodies are now preparing fares according to MMRTA guidelines, the new bus rides will not be available any time soon!
On conditions that they remain anonymous, a senior official of the Regional Transport Office (RTO) in Mumbai claims that there had been no discussion with MMRTA before deciding upon fare structure.
Senior officials claimed they must have received sanctions before launching any new bus service. The BEST undertaking provides public transport services within Thane District and other neighboring cities like Mira Bhayander & Navi Mumbai, which are served by 25 lakh passengers every day.
V Shenoy, a transport activist who has spent his life fighting for disadvantaged people in India and abroad, said that the new service is a good initiative. Still, it cannot be implemented without approval from MMRTA (Maharashtra Metro Rail Authority).
Mr. Sheney pointed out how BEST operates under RTA regulations which require fares to meet specific criteria before they can charge passengers anything at all; otherwise, this would not conform with the law as set forth by Indian Railway Tariff Act 1905 – “the world’s first legislation covering public passenger railways anywhere within our country.”
Mr. Shenoy said that the BEST is a stage carrier and governed by RTA (regional transport authority) regulations, which should take approval from fares being charged for services; otherwise, it would not be by law.
