MMRDA to roll premium bus service from Gundavali to BKC

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) will now operate a direct air-conditioned (AC) bus service between Gundavali, the final station of Mumbai Metro's Red Line 7, on the Western Express Highway (WEH), and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), bridging the connectivity gap between the western suburbs and Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). BKC has a large number of offices and the Red Line 7 currently terminates short of it at Gundavali at Andheri Junction along the WEH. It is an attempt to offer last-mile connectivity with the new bus service, said an official. He added that the premium AC bus service has been started in collaboration with the BEST (Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport) undertaking. According to the official, the premium bus will make up to 21 stops while travelling on a total of 29 trips per day—16 to BKC and 13 to Gundavli. From 7.30 am to 11.40 am, the route number S-112 service will head in the direction of BKC. From 3.40 pm to 8.15 pm, the service will run in the direction of Gundavali station. Depending on the distance travelled, the new AC bus service will have fares that range from Rs 60 to Rs 90. To use the service, commuters must download the BEST Chalo app and reserve their tickets, the official said. Meanwhile, S V R Srinivas, MMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner and Chairman and Managing Director of Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Limited (MMMOCL) said that providing facilities like parking spaces and electric bikes near Metro stations which provide crucial last-mile connectivity to commuters has been in focus. They are planning to build synergies and create a robust framework so that Mumbaikars can travel comfortably. Also Read To acquire land for PMRDA metro line 3 project, PMC serves noticesMMRDA provided 15 hectares of land at Kanjurmarg for Metro Line 6