Mumbai: HoHo Buses Witnesses Low Ridership Since Its Launch

The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST)’s ‘hop on hop off’ (HoHo) buses have witnessed a low passenger response since its launch in December, 2021.

According to a data revealed by the BEST, so far, a ridership of just 2,159 has been recorded in such buses in Mumbai.

The service, which includes 11 stops and covering 19 spots between 9 am and 8 pm, was launched by Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray and was touted as an important commuting initiative for tourists in the metropolis.

Of the 2,159 passengers who travelled in HoHo buses till April 26, the highest 1187, or over 50 per cent, ridership was seen in March, while it as low as 72 in January. The ridership figure for last month stood at 468, the official added.

Meanwhile, the BEST’s ‘heritage tour’ service, operated with open double-decker non-AC bus service, has received overwhelming response as 34,406 tourists have used it between November 3 last year, when it was launched, and April 26.

According to BEST data, 12,039 tourists took heritage tour rides between April 1 to 26, as compared to only 2,408 tourists between November 3 to 30 last year.

Some 76 per cent more tourists enjoyed the bus ride in April as compared to 6,813 tourists in March. The heritage bus service brought 828 per cent more earnings for the loss-making public transport body as compared to the HoHo bus service. BEST's total earning from HoHo buses since its launch is INR 5,56,560, while heritage services have brought in revenue of INR 51,67,875.

Even a 10 per cent discount for group booking of 20 or more passengers, which was announced soon after the launch, has failed to enthuse patrons, official mentioned.

Moreover, slamming the transport body, former member of BEST Committee’s policy making said that the its first priority should be to provide adequate bus service for the citizens, instead of running HoHo bus service for tourists.

Besides, transport activists said the civic-run undertaking should promote its ‘travel as you like’ tickets that are valid for any route instead of running dedicated buses for tourists.

For those unversed, these buses ply every 30 minutes from Juhu Chowpatty in the western part of Mumbai and CSMT in the metropolis’ south. A ride on the mid-sized AC buses, which have specially designed graphic stickers adorning the exteriors, costs INR 250. It covers spots like Rani Baug, Girgaum Chowpatty, Siddhivinayak Temple and Gateway of India etc.