Archive · 24 Jun 2025
Thackeray on Mumbai's BEST: Challenges and Solutions
Mumbai's public bus system, BEST, is in trouble.
The government made bus fares twice as expensive, and fewer people are using them.
The author, Aaditya Thackeray, believes the government is making the BEST worse by increasing fares and reducing the number of buses.
He suggests solutions like better leadership, cheaper fares, more electric buses, and improved bus stops to fix the system.
He thinks that the BEST is crucial for the city's people to get around affordably.
BEST, Mumbai's public transport, faces challenges including fare hikes and reduced ridership.
Fare increases, ordered by the Chief Minister's office, led to a decrease in ridership.
The author suggests selling bus depots and reducing the fleet size as detrimental actions.
He advocates for strong political leadership, affordable fares, and an expanded electric bus fleet.
The author highlights the importance of the BEST for the city and its citizens.
- Who
- Aaditya Thackeray, discusses the issues.
- What
- BEST bus system in Mumbai faces challenges and proposed solutions.
- When
- The article reflects on the past three years.
- Where
- Mumbai, India
- Why
- The author aims to highlight the problems with the current state of the BEST and propose solutions to improve it.
Proposed Solutions
Current Government Actions
Public Service vs. Revenue
Proposed Solutions
Focus on public service, accessibility for all.
Current Government Actions
Prioritize revenue generation, possibly through fare increases and selling assets.
- Organization
- BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport)
- Author
- Aaditya Thackeray
- Focus
- Public transport in Mumbai
- Issue
- Fare hikes and reduced ridership
- Former Ridership
- 3.5 million daily