Mumbai, January 6:  The daily ridership of BEST has increased by almost a lakh following the introduction of a fleet of wet-leased buses. According to a Times of India report, the daily commuter strength has now touched 34 lakhs thus matching the strength of 2014-15. Reportedly, BEST wants to increase its strength in areas operated by auto-rickshaw mafias.

There have been 166 AC mini buses procured on wet-lease over the last two months that have been ferrying passengers short distance. There have been electric and midi-buses on the long-distance route. Mumbai: BEST Slashes Bus Fares, Minimum Ticket Charge Scaled to Rs 5; AC Rides to Cost From Rs 6 Onwards.

After the fare slab was slashed last year in July, there was a tremendous jump in daily ridership. The fixed minimum fare is at Rs five (up to 5 km) and the maximum fare at Rs 20 for anywhere in Mumbai. Air Conditioned bus travel cost Rs 6 for up to 5 km, while Rs 25 would be the maximum for over 15 km journey. The fare restructuring was recommended by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in a bid to revive the public transportation system. The daily BEST ridership had touched a low of 25 lakhs and the fares were reduced in a bid to get more passengers to use the daily transport.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 06, 2020 09:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).