NMMT Sees 200% Income Boost on Atal Setu Routes After Fare Reduction
Navi Mumbai: Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) has reported an impressive over 200 percent surge in income from its Atal Setu routes following a significant reduction in ticket fares. The revised fare structure has seen per ride revenue increase substantially—from around ₹1,600 to ₹5,000. This growth has been accompanied by a notable rise in passenger numbers on the routes, indicating a positive response from the public.
According to NMMT Manager Yogesh Kaduskar, the number of passengers per ride has increased significantly. “Initially, we had around 20 to 22 passengers per ride. Now, we’re seeing up to 77 passengers per ride,” Kaduskar said. This rise in both earnings and passenger count highlights the success of the fare cut in making travel more accessible and appealing to commuters. The Atal Setu marg, despite its high toll charges, has proven to be a popular route for NMMT buses, especially with the introduction of routes 116 and 117 in September 2024. These routes, operational Monday to Saturday, connect Navi Mumbai to Mumbai and have become increasingly used since the fare reductions. Route 116, which travels from Nerul to Mantralaya, takes around 100 minutes, while Route 117, which begins at Sector 35 in Kharghar and also reaches Mantralaya, takes approximately 115 minutes.
Previously, the fare for Route 116 was ₹230, which has now been slashed to Rs 95. Similarly, the fare for Route 117 has been reduced from ₹270 to ₹120. Additionally, the minimum fare for both routes has been cut from ₹30 to Rs 10. Kaduskar emphasized that the objective behind these fare reductions was to make the journey more affordable and attract a larger number of passengers. Route 116 covers areas such as Ulwe and Kharkopar, traveling via the Atal Setu bridge to reach Mantralaya. Route 117 begins at Kharghar and travels through Panvel and Ghavan toll naka before using the Atal Setu bridge. Inaugurated in January 2024, the Atal Setu bridge is India’s largest sea bridge, connecting Navi Mumbai with Mumbai. NMMT is optimistic that the continued word-of-mouth about the affordable fares will further boost ridership on these routes. With the increased passenger numbers and improved revenue per ride, NMMT is hopeful that these routes will continue to see success and contribute to the growth of public transportation in Navi Mumbai.
