NMMT Slashes Fares: Mumbai-Navi Mumbai Travel via Atal Setu Bridge Fares by Over 50%
NMMT Slashes Fares: Mumbai-Navi Mumbai Travel via Atal Setu Bridge Fares by Over 50%
The recent fare reductions by Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) have made traveling between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai via the Atal Setu bridge much more budget-friendly. With fares slashed by over 50%, many commuters are now taking advantage of the new pricing, leading to a noticeable increase in passenger numbers on these routes.
The fare for the Kharghar-Mantralaya route has decreased from ₹270 to ₹120, while the Nerul-Mantralaya fare has been lowered from ₹230 to ₹105.
“The reduction in fares has had an immediate impact, with the average number of passengers rising significantly. For route 116, passengers have increased from around 20 to 60, and for route 117, the count has surged from 20–25 to approximately 70,” said an NMMT official.
NMMT launched these two routes connecting Navi Mumbai and Mantralaya in September last year. However, the initial high fares discouraged commuters, prompting the transport authority to reassess and lower the prices to attract more riders.
The Atal Setu, India’s largest sea bridge, opened to the public in January, providing a faster 20-minute commute between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, free of the usual traffic congestion. The Mumbai Trans Harbour Link connects Mumbai with Uran, Panvel, and further to Goa and Pune.
At first hesitant because of the high toll fees, NMMT launched its air-conditioned bus service over the Atal Setu during the Ganeshotsav festival last September. Two routes, 116 and 117, were introduced to operate from Monday to Saturday, with travel times of about 100 and 115 minutes, respectively.
Route 116 travels from Nerul bus terminus (East) to Mantralaya via Kharkopar railway station in Ulwe, while Route 117 starts at Jal Vayu Vihar in Kharghar and goes to Mantralaya through Panvel.
Even with its convenience, the high fares made the service unsustainable, resulting in buses often running nearly empty. “The lower fares now make the service attractive,” said Shahjehan Chougule, a Taloja resident and frequent commuter. “Previously, it was too costly, so many of us opted for the train, even though it was more crowded and slower.”
Bus Route 116 goes from Nerul Bus Depot to Mantralaya via Ulwe with stops like Nerul, Motha Ulwe Gaon, Prabhat Heights, Ramseth Thakur Stadium, and Kharkopar railway station.
Bus Route 117 travels from Kharghar Sector 35 to Mantralaya via Panvel, stopping at places like Kharghar, Utsav Chowk, Asudgaon Depot Highway, Panvel Bus Terminus, Palaspe Phata, Karanjade Phata, Atal Setu, and Mantralaya.
For Route 116, the bus departs from Nerul at 7:55 am and returns from Mantralaya at 6:25 pm. There are midday trips between Mantralaya and Kharkopar railway station as well.
Route 117 starts from Kharghar at 7:40 am and returns from Mantralaya to Kharghar at 6:15 pm.
