Commuter Group Urges BEST to Expand Eastern Freeway and Atal Setu Bus Routes
Commuter advocacy group Aapli BEST Aaplyachsathi proposed expanding bus services across the Eastern Freeway and the Atal Setu to improve public transport connectivity between South Mumbai, Wadala, Ghatkopar, and Navi Mumbai. The proposal was presented during a joint meeting with the BEST Committee, chaired by chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao, aimed at increasing transit ridership and strengthening the city's transport network.
During the meeting, passenger representatives urged the public undertaking to make greater use of the Eastern Freeway corridor for rapid bus operations connecting the eastern suburbs, South Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai. The commuter group also highlighted the induction of 150 additional electric double-decker buses as a major priority for expanding fleet capacity and modernizing operations across the city.
Among the specific route modifications submitted, the advocacy group called for extending current bus routes A-502 and A-504 up to Wadala Depot. Furthermore, representatives recommended introducing additional high-speed services that would directly link Ghatkopar and other eastern suburbs via the freeway route to reduce transit times for daily passengers.
Rupesh Shelatkar, representing Aapli BEST Aaplyachsathi, urged the committee to introduce enhanced bus connectivity linking Mumbai and Navi Mumbai via the Atal Setu. Shelatkar emphasized that faster and more direct bus routes across the sea bridge could attract private vehicle users toward public transportation, thereby easing road congestion and substantially lowering travel durations between the two cities.
The discussions between passenger advocates and transport officials also covered broader systemic challenges within the undertaking. Attendees raised concerns regarding route planning strategies, ongoing staff shortages, and the organization's heavy dependence on wet-leased buses.
In response to the proposals, BEST Committee Chairperson Trushna Vishwasrao instructed transit officials to thoroughly examine the commuter group's recommendations. She directed the department to expedite implementation wherever feasible, noting that incorporating direct passenger feedback is vital to building an efficient, modern, and commuter-centric public transit system.
