Mumbai, September 20:The Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) workers’ union has announced to go on an indefinite strike from October 9. According to an Indian Express report, the union will be going on strike due to the alleged failure to fulfil employees’ demand of a minimum Rs 10,000 salary hike. BEST Bus Ridership Jumps by 65% to 33 Lakh Daily Commuters After Fare Cut.

The workers' union have mentioned that they will not sign any agreement with the BEST administration until they are given a minimum Rs 10,000 hike to employees. In addition to this, the union have also asked for a similar hike that they were paid between 2016 to 2019.

BEST bus fares were reduced in July and the reason for the revision in the fare slab was because the daily ridership slipped tremendously low. According to recent reports, it came as a huge relief to BEST bus services as the fare cut has translated to a 65 percent rise in ridership to 33 lakh commuters, which was last recorded five years ago. In the last two weeks itself, the ridership has shot by one lakh commuters. Before the fare cut took place in July, the daily commuter ridership was 20 lakhs.

The revised fares for 5 km is Rs 5 for Non-AC buses and Rs 6 for AC.  Up to 10 km, it is Rs 10 for Non-AC and Rs 13 for AC. The fare up to 15km for Non-AC bus is Rs 15 and for AC it is 19. Above 15kms, Non-AC fare is Rs 20 and Rs 25 for AC buses.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 20, 2019 10:33 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).