Mumbai’s bus network has expanded into Uran for the first time in several years, with the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking launching a set of direct air-conditioned services linking the coastal town with key destinations across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. The move is being seen as a long-awaited boost for residents who have faced limited transport choices, prolonged travel times, and overcrowded alternatives.
The new services were inaugurated at a large housing cluster in Dronagiri, where residents, workers, and students gathered to witness the first departures. According to civic officials, the introduction of these routes reflects repeated requests from local communities that have highlighted uneven connectivity and the need for more reliable public transport options between Uran and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Local civic groups observed that such expansions strengthen mobility rights for peripheral communities and contribute to a more inclusive metropolitan transport network. The service currently operates across three corridors. One route links Uran with Bandra East, another connects the town to the southern end of Mumbai through the trans-harbour link, and a third provides access to Vashi in Navi Mumbai. All services originate from the port-side belt and operate daily except on Sundays. Transport planners noted that these links have been designed to reduce transfer points and ease long-distance commuting for workers who travel to industrial zones, port areas, and business districts.
A key feature of the new initiative is the shift to a digital-only ticketing mechanism. Commuters are required to book their seats via a mobile ticketing application that offers real-time bus tracking and occupancy details. Officials said the digital system is intended to cut queues, improve monitoring, and gradually transition outer-city services towards cleaner, more efficient operational models. While the buses are not electric at present, transport analysts believe the structured routes and consistent ridership data could support a shift to cleaner fleets in the future, helping cities edge closer to low-emission public mobility. For many households in Uran, the new services represent a reduction in travel stress. The town currently relies on limited state-run buses and a suburban rail extension that witnesses heavy crowding during peak hours. Community representatives said that affordable and predictable services are essential for students and workers who travel long distances to reach educational institutions and workplaces. They added that strengthening public transport in growth corridors like Uran supports equitable urbanisation and reduces dependence on private vehicles, aligning with wider sustainability goals for the region.
With demand expected to rise, civic officials indicated that more routes may be considered after reviewing passenger patterns. For now, residents see the launch as a major step in bridging mobility gaps and enabling smoother, safer travel across the wider metropolitan area.
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