Mira-Bhayandar civic body proposes raising ordinary bus fares by up to Rs 14, cutting AC fares

The administration of the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation has drawn up a proposal to raise fares on ordinary buses of its transport service. It has also proposed reducing fares on AC buses. All eyes are now on the upcoming General Body meeting, where the proposal is to be decided.

The administration says rising diesel prices, the cost of maintaining and repairing buses, and the increased financial burden of running the transport service are the reasons for revisiting fares. AC buses, on the other hand, are getting a poor response from passengers, which is why a fare cut has been suggested.

According to the proposal, ordinary bus fares could go up by Rs 1 to Rs 14, depending on distance. The fare for a journey of up to two kilometres, currently Rs 6, is proposed to be raised to Rs 8. For 10 to 12 km, the fare would go from Rs 17 to Rs 18. For 28 to 30 km, it is proposed to be Rs 36 instead of Rs 26, and for 38 to 40 km, Rs 46 instead of Rs 32. Those travelling longer distances may thus have to pay more.

On AC buses, the administration says the current fares are high and passengers are staying away from these buses. The proposal to cut AC fares was prepared after comparing them with the fares of transport services in other cities. Depending on distance, AC bus fares could be reduced by Rs 5 to Rs 35. The administration hopes more passengers will take AC buses and that use of the service will increase.

The proposal notes that ordinary bus fares in the city were fixed in 2013 and AC bus fares in 2016. There has been no change in fares since. In the meantime, the price of diesel, the cost of running electric buses and the prices of spare parts for bus repairs have gone up. The administration says this has made running the transport service more expensive.

The Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation's transport service currently has 74 diesel buses and 57 electric buses, a total of 131. The buses ply on routes within the city and also towards Thane and Mumbai. Many people in the city depend on this bus service for daily travel.

Complaints about the standard of the transport service have been coming in for the past few months. Passengers say buses break down frequently and do not run according to the timetable, making it difficult to reach their destinations on time. The question being raised is whether, before fares are raised, there will be improvements in the regular availability of buses, adherence to timetables, maintenance and passenger amenities. The administration has cited rising costs, but it also needs to be clear what concrete steps will be taken to improve the quality of service.

A proposal to raise fares had also come before the General Body in 2022, but it was rejected. The proposal for a change in fares will once again be placed for approval at the upcoming General Body meeting. It remains to be seen whether the General Body approves it or takes a different decision in view of passengers' difficulties.

This is only a proposal to raise and cut fares. The proposed rates should not be treated as in force until the General Body approves them and an official decision is made.