BEST plugs into ONDC, bets on UPI apps to push bus ticketing digital

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking is opening its bus ticketing system to the govt-backed Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), allowing commuters to buy tickets through widely used apps such as Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm, without needing a dedicated BEST app.The move marks a shift towards platform-based public transport access, with officials pitching it as a step towards seamless, multimodal commuting. By integrating with ONDC, BEST aims to tap into an existing user base of digital payment and mobility platforms, including Uber, Rapido and WhatsApp, where ticketing will be enabled via QR code-based transactions.According to the undertaking, the initiative aligns with the broader push to bring metro, rail and bus systems onto a common digital ecosystem. The ONDC transit network is already live in 26 cities with multiple transport operators onboard, and BEST's entry is expected to strengthen the network in Mumbai.Officials said the integration could significantly improve digital ticket adoption. Currently, around 15%-16% of BEST commuters use digital ticketing; this is projected to rise to 25%-30% once ONDC-based access becomes mainstream.