The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation will begin a direct bus service from Dadar to Navi Mumbai International Airport via Atal Setu from Wednesday, creating a new public transport connection between one of Mumbai’s busiest interchange points and the upcoming airport.
Maharashtra Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaik will inaugurate the service, according to a report by Mid-Day. The corporation will also start bus services to the airport from Borivali in Mumbai and Swargate in Pune.
Dadar is a major rail and bus interchange in Mumbai, serving passengers travelling across the city and to surrounding regions. The direct MSRTC connection is intended to provide air passengers, office workers and students with a public transport option that does not require them to change buses during the journey.
“Connecting the airport to ST’s wider network will give ordinary citizens, employees, students and air passengers a safe and reliable option,” Sarnaik said, according to the report.
The service will use Atal Setu, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, to connect Mumbai with Navi Mumbai. The route will give passengers travelling from central Mumbai a direct road-based link to the airport, while the planned Borivali and Swargate services will extend access to western Mumbai and Pune.
The announcement comes as transport agencies begin building surface connectivity to Navi Mumbai International Airport. Direct bus routes can provide an alternative to private vehicles and taxis for passengers travelling from parts of Mumbai and Pune, while also linking the airport to the state transport network rather than limiting access to local feeder services.
MSRTC said it would add more airport services in phases. The proposed expansion is expected to cover Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, the Konkan region and other parts of Maharashtra through the corporation’s wider bus network.
However, the corporation has not yet announced the fares or operating timings for the Dadar, Borivali and Swargate services. Details such as frequency, boarding points, journey duration and the date on which advance ticketing will begin will determine how useful the new routes are for daily passengers and airport users.
The launch also places greater importance on coordination between airport operations, city bus networks and intercity transport services. Dadar’s role as a rail and bus interchange could allow passengers from other parts of Mumbai to reach the airport through a single transfer point, provided the service is scheduled around existing rail and bus movements.
MSRTC said additional airport links would be introduced in phases. The corporation’s next steps will include inaugurating the three announced routes and releasing operational details, including fares and timetables.
