On August 6, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) reported daily revenue of ₹3.25 crore, one of its highest in months, following a May fare hike that doubled the minimum ticket price for both AC and non-AC buses. Officials hailed it as a step toward “sustainability,” citing not only higher collections but also “healthy” footfall.

Crowded Trains, Riskier Commutes After BEST Ridership Falls

Look past the balance sheet, however, and the picture shifts dramatically. Commuter rights groups estimate BEST’s daily ridership has fallen from roughly 3.5 million before the hike to about 2.5 million today, a loss of one million passengers in just three months. These commuters haven’t disappeared; they’ve been pushed onto already overcrowded local trains, where safety risks are mounting. A revenue spike that comes at the expense of passenger numbers is not sustainability, it’s a slow bleed of the very lifeblood that keeps a public transport system viable.

Mumbai once understood this. For decades, BEST operated as a cross-utility service, where surplus from electricity operations kept buses affordable, frequent, and extensive. The goal was mobility, not margin. Today, that ethos is slipping. Subcontracting to private operators has chipped away at service quality, while the fleet has shrunk under contractor mismanagement.

There is a proven, scalable way to do that: zero-fare bus travel for women. Far from being a “freebie,” such schemes, implemented in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Karnataka, have revived public transport, increased ridership, and strengthened economic participation.

Delhi’s Pink Ticket Programme Boosts Ridership and Inclusion

Delhi’s Pink Ticket programme, launched in 2019, has issued over 150 crore free rides. Women’s share of ridership has risen from 25% to over 33%, with daily beneficiaries reaching 11 lakh. Between 2019 and 2023, women’s ridership grew by 20%, easing crowding elsewhere, boosting workforce participation, and proving that zero fares can fortify rather than strain public finances. The cost is treated as a public investment. 

Hyderabad’s Mahalakshmi Scheme Shows Rapid, Sustained Growth

Hyderabad’s Mahalakshmi scheme, rolled out in late 2023, shows even sharper gains: 200 crore free journeys in under two years, women’s ridership jumping from 35% to 60%, daily passenger numbers surging from 45 lakh to 60 lakh, and bus occupancy rates soaring from 53% to 97%. State reimbursements of ₹335 crore a month have turned potential deficits into fuller buses, healthier route economics, and measurable reductions in private vehicle use.

Karnataka’s Shakti Scheme Revives Urban and Rural Routes

Karnataka’s Shakti scheme tells a similar story. By mid-2025, it had delivered nearly 500 crore free rides, lifting Bengaluru’s BMTC ridership to its highest levels since 2015. In Mysuru, women now account for three-quarters of daily passengers. The state’s ₹11,994 crore investment has paid off in greater labour force participation, sustained rural and semi-urban routes.

Why Mumbai Should Adopt a Zero-Fare Policy for Women

For Mumbai, the lesson is clear. A zero-fare policy for women could stem BEST’s passenger losses, expand access to jobs and education, and stabilise routes through higher occupancy. As these states show, the broader social and environmental returns, cleaner air, less congestion, greater economic inclusion far outweigh the direct subsidy cost. The real dividend lies in productivity, climate resilience, and social cohesion.

Sustainability Lies in Moving People, Not Just Making Money

If BEST is to survive, its success must be measured not by how much revenue it collects, but by how many people it moves, safely, affordably, and inclusively. And the fastest way to achieve that is to start with the women who keep Mumbai moving.

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) recorded a windfall this Raksha Bandhan, earning a staggering Rs 137.37 crore in just four days, thanks to an unprecedented surge in passenger turnout.

From August 8 to 11, nearly 1.93 crore passengers travelled on MSRTC buses across the state, including 88 lakh women passengers, as families reunited to celebrate the festival. The figures were revealed by Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik on Tuesday.

MSRTC reported steady passenger revenue earnings over four consecutive days in August. On Thursday, August 8, the corporation earned Rs 30.06 crore. On Friday, August 9, it recorded Rs 34.86 crore. On Saturday, August 10, the revenue stood at Rs 33.36 crore, followed by a significant rise on Sunday, August 11, when earnings peaked at Rs 39.09 crore.

Highlighting the festival’s impact on travel, Minister Sarnaik stated that August 11 alone generated Rs 39.09 crore — the highest single-day revenue for the current financial year.

“Every year, Raksha Bandhan and Bhai Dooj (during Diwali) bring in significant revenue, as siblings travel across the state to celebrate together. This year was no different — the response was overwhelming,” said Sarnaik.

Sarnaik extended his gratitude to the people of Maharashtra for their continued faith in MSRTC’s services and applauded the dedication of staff members who worked through the festive weekend.

The minister also hinted at plans to build on this momentum by enhancing services during upcoming festive seasons.

“Our employees prioritised public service over personal celebrations. Their commitment is the backbone of this achievement,” he said. “This kind of response boosts the morale of our team and reinforces the trust passengers have in MSRTC.”

Mumbai: A startling case of theft has emerged from the upscale Tardeo area of Mumbai, where jewellery worth Rs 10.5 lakh was stolen from a private bungalow. The incident has sent shockwaves through the neighbourhood, with police now turning their attention toward the family’s caretaker, who is the primary suspect in the ongoing investigation.

The complaint was lodged by Devika Panchal, a 40-year-old resident of a bungalow situated near Jaywant Industries. Panchal lives with her family and her ailing 70-year-old father, who is paralysed and requires constant care. To assist with his needs, the family had employed a young male caretaker whose duty was to look after the elderly man throughout the day and leave by 11 p.m. each night.

On the evening of August 9, at approximately 5:30 p.m., Panchal went to check on her father and noticed something unusual. The wooden cupboard in the room had been left open, clothes were scattered across the floor, and the drawer inside was ajar. Most alarmingly, the key to the cupboard, usually kept hidden and secure within, was lying outside, suggesting a deliberate breach.

Upon further inspection, it was discovered that several valuable pieces of gold jewellery were missing. These included a gold necklace, a chain, a ring, earrings, and bangles, collectively valued at Rs 10.5 lakh. The sudden disappearance of these items, paired with the visible signs of tampering, led Panchal to suspect foul play, as reported.

What made the situation more suspicious was the limited access to the room. On the day of the incident, only the caretaker and the brother of the housekeeper had been present in the house. However, it was confirmed that only the caretaker had entered the father’s room. Based on this information, Panchal filed a formal complaint with the Tardeo Police.

The police have since registered a case and initiated a thorough investigation. Officers are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the house and surrounding area to trace any suspicious movements. They are also conducting a background check on the caretaker, seeking to determine whether he has a history of criminal activity or connections to other thefts in the city.