The Maharashtra government has formed a 12-member task force to develop an integrated bus transport plan for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), aiming to facilitate seamless travel through a unified single ticketing system.

The task force will be led by the General Manager of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), with the Chief of the Transport and Traffic Department of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) acting as secretary. Other members include senior officials from key municipal corporations such as Thane, Brihanmumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Vasai-Virar, along with the Additional Metropolitan Commissioner of MMRDA.

This move follows a meeting of the Growth Hub Regulatory Board held a month earlier and was formalised through a government resolution (GR) issued by the Urban Development Department on June 10, 2025. The task force has been assigned to create a comprehensive strategy for integrating bus services across the region, addressing the current lack of a centralised transport authority, and improving coordination among civic-operated systems.

The task force operates under the Growth Hub Governing Board, which is also responsible for approving the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Economic Master Plan. The introduction of a single ticketing system forms part of broader economic initiatives under this plan.

The GR outlines that this effort is in line with NITI Aayog’s Growth Hubs (G-HUB) policy, which focuses on enhancing regional economic growth by attracting foreign investment, fostering startups, and generating employment. The policy is being implemented as a pilot project in four urban regions, with MMR representing Maharashtra in the initiative.

News source: The Hindu