As per a RTI application filed by activist Anil Galgali with the BEST it has been revealed that the transport undertaking has incurred losses to the tune of Rs 905.3 crores bringing per passenger cost to Rs 21.41 in 2015-16. In comparison the income generated comes to Rs 12.88. The BEST administration informed Galgali that, in 2015-16, 106 crores 10, 84,000 passengers availed BEST bus services and it earned a revenue of Rs 1367.11 crores. The operational expenses was Rs 2272.41 crores, with the losses being Rs 905.3 crores.
The BEST administration has paid Rs 139.68 crores in 2014-15 and Rs 136.75 crores in 2015-16 as taxes to various authorities. In a period of seven years from 2010 to 2016 the transport body had written to the Urban Development Ministry, Transport Ministry seeking waiver of toll tax imposed by MSRDC, Motor vehicle tax, passenger tax, surcharge, registration licence charges and VAT but not relief was offered to it.
The MCGM had offered a grant of Rs 150 crores to BEST in 2014-15. Since then the civic body has turned a blind eye towards the administration. Along with the grant if BEST receives a waiver of tax payments its financial health will improve claimed Galgali in a letter addressed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
“The state government and the MCGM should bail out the BEST administration as its services are utilised by the common man. The state government must strengthen the Public Transport system in Mumbai and should constitute a separate fund for the same,” said Galgali.
