Mumbaikars who were concerned about the possible bus fare hike in the new year can now heave a sigh of relief. The BMC Standing Committee Chairperson, Rahul Shewale, while tabling the BEST budget before the General Body (GB), has said that the hike is unnecessary. The final decision on the fare hike will be taken on Monday.

The BEST administration had cleared the proposal (see box) in November 2013 to hike bus fare, and forward it to the BMC for approval. The hike was supposed to target 24 lakh commuters who travel short distances. The undertaking said it was expecting to make Rs 175 crore through fare revision. A total of 40 lakh people use BEST bus services daily.