Mumbai: Soon, you can take the bus across MTHL!

The bus near Flamingo Point in Navi Mumbai. Pics/Shubham Padave

BEST has finalised bus route S-145 in sync with the Chalo app to be the first public transport bus service operating on India's longest sea link - the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), officially called the Atal Setu. With this, the BEST Undertaking has spread its reach to the Ulwe node of Navi Mumbai. Apart from this premium service, there are long-term plans to also run ordinary buses on the route.

The route S-145 bus will travel between Konkan Bhavan, Belapur to the World Trade Centre via the Atal Setu. It will run via Sai Sangam-Targhar-Ulwe node-Aai Tarumata-Kamdhenu Oaklands-MTHL-Eastern Freeway-CSMT-Churchgate station and end at Cuffe Parade. Sources said initially the two services would be operated in the morning from Belapur to the World Trade Centre and two in the evening from World Trade Centre to Belapur.

The ticket issued during the test run in a private bus, which is why the fare is high; it included toll charges. On the Chalo app, the fare will be as per the rules, as the state pays toll charges for all govt vehicles

"I am glad to see the Chalo App and BEST Undertaking are spreading their wings across MMR. I feel proud to see our public transport body making available an option for citizens to ride through India's longest sea link. Hope to see more such premium and ordinary bus routes on MTHL and other upcoming projects as well," bus enthusiast and expert, Shubham Padave, said.

Asked about the toll charges, BEST officials said they were working on the finer details of the route and fare structure. A trial with bus enthusiasts and experts has already been conducted for feedback and review. Former Union minister of communications and shipping, Milind Deora, who recently joined the Shiv Sena, had also urged the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to have a ‘bus priority lane' on the newly-opened MTHL.