The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation has launched direct bus services connecting Dadar, Borivali and Swargate in Pune with Navi Mumbai International Airport, creating new public transport links between the airport and three major urban centres.
The Dadar service will operate via the Atal Setu, also known as the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link. The service was inaugurated by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who said the connection would link Navi Mumbai International Airport with the MSRTC’s wider public transport network.
“With a direct service from Dadar, one of Mumbai’s major transport hubs, to the airport, air passengers as well as the general public will benefit greatly,” Sarnaik said, according to the report.
The three routes are Borivali–Navi Mumbai International Airport, Dadar–Navi Mumbai International Airport via Atal Setu, and Swargate, Pune–Navi Mumbai International Airport. The services are planned with designated stops and structured fare stages along the main corridors.
The proposed adult fare from Borivali to the airport is Rs 210, while the child fare is Rs 105. The Dadar service via Atal Setu is priced at Rs 170 for adults and Rs 85 for children. Passengers travelling from Swargate in Pune will pay a proposed adult fare of Rs 455 and a child fare of Rs 230. The fares cover travel across 10 stages on the Borivali route, eight stages on the Dadar route and 22 stages on the Pune route.
The Borivali route is planned to serve several densely populated areas in Mumbai’s western suburbs. Its proposed stops include Nancy Colony, Sukurwadi, Samta Nagar in Kandivali East, Pushpa Park in Malad, Goregaon East Police Station, Jogeshwari, Gundavali in Andheri East, Domestic Airport Terminal 1, Vile Parle, Vakola, Bandra Housing Board, Kalanagar, Maitri Park, Vashi Highway, Nerul and Belapur Fort.
The Dadar route will cover Dadar Asiad Bus Stand, Hindmata, Byculla, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Carnac Bunder and Ulwe before reaching Navi Mumbai International Airport. Its operation via Atal Setu is intended to provide a direct road connection from central Mumbai towards the airport.
The Pune service will start at Swargate Bus Stand and cover Vanaz, Chandani Chowk, Balewadi, Hinjawadi Phata and Indira College in Wakad before reaching the airport. Together, the services are intended to connect the airport with Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune through road-based public transport.
Passengers holding National Common Mobility Cards issued for MSRTC services will be eligible for the standard concessions applicable to 12-metre eShivai electric buses, according to the proposed arrangements. The use of electric buses is also expected to support lower-emission public transport access to the airport.
Sarnaik said the MSRTC would introduce additional services to Navi Mumbai International Airport as required. The corporation’s next step is to expand airport connectivity in response to passenger demand across the three corridors.
