Mumbaikars will now have to shell out more for bus travel.
Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport has decided to hike fairs.
Despite the increase in diesel prices, BEST had desisted from hiking the fairs for four years.
Passengers travelling up to 15 km will have to pay a rupee more; the hike is Rs 2 for those travelling up to 35 km.
Air-conditioned buses will charge Rs 2 extra up to 35 km and Rs 5 for every 5 km after that.
The proposal is with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation for final approval.
BEST has been running into losses -- approximately Rs 175 crore every year -- for a long time now. It plans to cut 50 per cent of the loss through the fair hike and the rest by renting out its premises for business purposes.
Now on passengers will also get better facilities. BEST will run special buses for the handicapped and 1,250 old buses will be replaced.
Around 48 lakh people travel by BEST's 3,386 buses -- of which 500 are double-decker -- every day.
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