BEST launches premium bus service via Atal Setu

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) has introduced a new air-conditioned premium bus service between South Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, traversing through the Atal Setu, India’s longest sea bridge inaugurated two months ago, as reported by PTI.

Guardian Minister of Mumbai, Deepak Kesarkar, inaugurated the service at the BEST headquarters in Colaba. Operating under route No. S-145, these buses will commute daily between the World Trade Centre in South Mumbai and CBD Belapur in Navi Mumbai.

According to an official statement from BEST, four buses – two each from CBD Belapur and World Trade Centre – will ply this route via the 22-km-long Atal Setu from Monday to Saturday.

Passengers availing this premium service will be charged a minimum fare of Rs 50 and a maximum of Rs 225, as mentioned in the statement.

Kesarkar also unveiled buses equipped with rooftop air purification systems. Approximately 300 buses from five BEST depots are being outfitted with these systems, with 240 buses already retrofitted.

Last month, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (ST) launched its Shivneri bus service between Mumbai and Pune via MTHL, a six-lane sea link, with a significant portion on sea and land.

The Atal Setu, spanning 21.8 kilometers, provides seamless connectivity between Sewri in South Mumbai and Chirle in Navi Mumbai, with interchanges at Sewri, Ulwe and Chirle.