According to reports, the Brihanmumbai Electric and Supply Transport (BEST) has taken action against over 2.5 lakh passengers commuting without valid tickets in the last two years across Mumbai.
The transport body has collected a total fine of over INR 1.5 crore from these passengers between January 2023 to January 2025.
While, the passenger footfall have increased post COVID-19, there has been an increase in the number of ticketless passengers. This has affected BEST's revenue significantly.
This rise has been attributed to several reasons such as lack of manpower to check tickets, delay in tracking and monitoring such irregular passengers through mobile apps or camera.
Currently, more than 35 lakh passengers travel in BEST every day.
As per the data revealed, between January 2023 and 2025, a total of 2,84,247 passengers were apprehended without tickets, realising a fine of INR 1 crore 73 lakhs 16 thousand and 116 from them.
Passengers traveling without tickets often try to escape by showing their hands and saying 'pass'. Meanwhile, many passengers who board a crowded bus stand near the door and try to get off at their stop without taking out a ticket.
From January 2023 to December 2023, 1,06, 136 ticketless passengers were found. In the year 2024, there was a huge increase to 1,67,110 passengers.
Meanwhile, in the first of 2025, BEST has reported 11,000 irregular passengers in January.
BEST's Fine Collection Data:
2023 -- INR 65 lakh 76 thousand 304
2024 -- INR 1 crore 1 lakh 73 thousand 916
January 2025 -- INR 6 lakh 65 thousand 896
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