Mumbai Metro-3 Feeder Bus Service Faces Setback: 280 Buses Withdrawn Days Before Start

Just two days before the Mumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) could launch a new feeder bus route connecting the Metro-3 station near Terminal 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), they encountered a significant setback. On Sunday, at least 280 buses operating on wet lease in the western suburbs were taken off the road, impacting the planned feeder service set to begin tomorrow.

On October 13, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRCL) announced that from October 15, feeder buses would be in operation to facilitate last-mile connectivity for passengers arriving and departing from CSMIA T2 on the Aqua Line.

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According to sources from BEST, the buses, which were operated by the Hansa Group, have been withdrawn from service, leaving them parked at depots. These buses primarily served the western suburbs, connecting residential and commercial areas with bus stations and depots outside railway stations between Andheri and Malad.

A BEST official stated, "For some unknown reason, these buses have been withdrawn from the fleet by the wet lease operator. These buses are parked inside the depot now. Our fleet has once again depleted to less than 3,000 buses." The fleet had previously numbered 3,153 buses until October 12 but now stands at 2,873. Of these, around 1,093 are owned by BEST, while the remainder are on wet lease.

"We were supposed to operate these wet lease buses for the feeder routes from CSMIA T2 Metro-3 station. We will work around something," said another BEST official. The feeder buses are intended to run every 15-30 minutes in a circular route to transport passengers to and from the CSMIA T2 metro station. Authorities are also exploring the possibility of increasing bus services and adding more trips at other Metro-3 stations, with a decision expected by November 15.

Meanwhile, MMRCL officials reported that they have completed or are near completing various multi-modal integration (MMI) works at 11 different locations along the 12.69 km Aqua Line route, which runs from Aarey JVLR to BKC. These efforts aim to ensure seamless connectivity and convenience for passengers.

"With the completion of MMI works, the Aqua Line will offer a superior travel experience in the coming weeks. Our focus on safe and convenient interchange between feeder services and Metro stations will greatly benefit passengers," said Ashwini Bhide, managing director of MMRCL.

Contractors have reinstated the road network around underground stations, except at BKC, where significant work is ongoing and expected to be completed within six weeks. Recognising the importance of MMI, discussions are underway with the Traffic Police, BEST, BMC, and MIAL to ensure comprehensive planning.

To enhance passenger transhipment between feeders and metro stations, improvements include a staircase linking Metro-1 to the Marol Naka concourse of the Aqua Line, AC underground pedestrian crossings along major roads like MIDC Central Road and Bandra-Kurla Complex, and covered pedestrian canopies at CSMIA T1 and T2 stations.

Additionally, Santacruz metro station is now connected to Santacruz suburban station via an existing 800-metre skywalk. Basic information signage, road markings, and pedestrian crossings have been established. Ongoing work to restore footpaths has been delayed due to intermittent rains, but all 10 metro station entries and exits are equipped with lifts and escalators for accessibility.