Mumbai Bus Enthusiasts Urge BEST Chairperson To Preserve Heritage Buses, Revise Fares & Restore Routes

Mumbai commuters and transport aficionados have approached the BEST chairperson to address various concerns regarding public transportation in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Key demands include preserving heritage buses, revising fare structures, and restoring certain bus routes.

The group suggested introducing intermediate fare slabs to address the steep fare gaps post April 2025 fare restructuring, which reportedly led to short-distance passengers switching to autorickshaws. Additionally, they recommended highlighting Ladies Special buses in pink on the Chalo Mobile App, as all buses, including those designated for female commuters, currently appear as blue icons.

BEST was urged to collaborate with legal and municipal authorities to restore suspended routes A188 and 524L. The former route, which connected Sanjay Gandhi National Park Gate to Kanheri Caves, was halted in early 2026 due to Bombay High Court restrictions. The group pointed to provisions in the 2003 High Court ruling that authorized regular services up to 100 special buses during Mahashivratri.

For the latter route, which ran from Borivali East to Vashi APMC Market, the delegation proposed operating around five non-AC buses during peak hours, leaving Borivali at 4:45 am via the Eastern Express Highway.

Grant applications were made to the central government's Ministry of Culture to upgrade the BEST Museum and safeguard historical artifacts, with particular attention to the deteriorating condition of Sangrahika, an iconic double-decker bus preserved at the museum. The group also proposed building a dedicated ground-floor glass-enclosed display garage for Sangrahika, emulating historic BEST practices of bus decoration during festive occasions like Diwali, Independence Day, Republic Day, and BEST Din.