Opposition leader against BEST fare hike, says Shiv Sena-BJP behind its downfall

Opposing a fare hike for BEST buses, Devendra Amberkar, leader of opposition in BMC from the Congress has alleged that the transport body has been incurring losses for past last couple of years and that the ruling Shiv Sena and BJP were the reason for its downfall.

Wrong decisions had compelled the BEST administration to increase its bus fare, making passengers bear the brunt with a fare hike, Amberkar said, adding that there was no need to increase the fare considering that the government has reduced prices of petrol and diesel.

The opposition leader suggested that BEST should identify profit-making routes and increase bus services on these routes to facilitate more passengers and timely services.

Amberkar said "Despite incurring heavy losses, BEST undertaking created additional posts in traffic department. This additional employment further dented revenues as crores of rupees are spent on their wages. Actually it was a simply waste of public money."