The Maharashtra government has set up a 12-member task force to design an integrated bus transport system for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), a move that marks a significant shift towards seamless, sustainable, and commuter-friendly urban mobility. The initiative aims to unify ticketing across multiple civic transport bodies, creating a single-pass system that will allow passengers to travel across the region without transfers or fare duplication.
The newly formed task force will be chaired by the General Manager of the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking (BEST), with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) serving as the secretariat. Members include senior officials from major civic bodies across Thane, Navi Mumbai, Vasai-Virar, and Mumbai, reflecting the government’s intent to ensure regional inclusivity in planning and execution. According to the official notification issued by the Urban Development Department, the committee’s formation follows deliberations at the Growth Hub Regulatory Board meeting held last month. The task force will draft a detailed blueprint to harmonise operations among multiple bus agencies currently functioning independently. Officials said the proposal is not merely administrative—it represents a strategic attempt to bridge the fragmented mobility ecosystem in one of India’s most complex urban zones.
The integrated plan will come under the purview of the Growth Hub Governing Board, which is also steering the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Economic Master Plan. The unified bus system, envisioned as a central element of this strategy, aims to boost efficiency, cut commute times, and reduce the region’s carbon footprint by promoting greater public transport adoption over private vehicles. Experts note that a seamless ticketing framework could act as a major catalyst in curbing vehicular congestion and improving air quality across MMR’s rapidly urbanising corridors. With multiple transit agencies and municipal operators often working in isolation, commuters have long faced fragmented schedules and inconsistent fares. A unified framework, supported by digital ticketing, could streamline operations, optimise resources, and enhance commuter convenience.
Officials said the initiative also aligns with NITI Aayog’s Growth Hubs (G-HUB) policy, which seeks to drive regional economic growth by improving connectivity, fostering innovation, and generating local employment. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region has been chosen as one of four pilot regions for the policy rollout, underscoring its critical role in shaping India’s next phase of sustainable urban development. While the blueprint is still in its formative stages, the task force’s mandate signals a decisive step towards building an integrated, low-emission, and commuter-centric transport system that could redefine mobility across the MMR in the coming years.
Also Read : Mumbai Plans Private Bus Network For Seamless Last-Mile Access To Metro 3 Stations
