The first public transport service to operate on India's longest sea link, the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL), or the Atal Setu, is the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST). The public transport service has decided to run the S-145 bus on the MTHL. This has allowed the BEST Undertaking to reach the Ulwe node in Navi Mumbai. Long-term plans include running regular buses on the route in addition to this premium service.
The S-145 bus route will travel via the Atal Setu to connect Konkan Bhavan in Belapur with the World Trade Centre. It will go via the following routes: Sai Sangam, Targhar, Ulwe Node, Aai Tarumata, Kamdhenu Oaklands, MTHL, Eastern Motorway, CSMT, Churchgate Station, and Cuffe Parade. The two trips will first run in the morning from Belapur to the World Trade Centre, and then two in the evening from the World Trade Centre to Belapur.
On January 26, a test drive for running buses on Atal Setu was conducted. Since it was a private bus, the fare was INR 830, including the toll price. On Chalo App, the bus fare will be as per the rules only, as all the tolls of government-run vehicles are paid by the government only.
Mumbaikars are glad to see the Chalo App and BEST Undertaking spreading their wings across MMR. Residents feel proud to see the public transport body making available an option for citizens to ride through India’s longest sea link. Now there is hope among citizens of Mumbai to see more such premium and ordinary bus routes on MTHL and other upcoming projects as well.
BEST representatives said that they were addressing the specifics of the route and pricing structure when questioned about the toll rates. The officials said that for review and criticism, a trial involving specialists and bus enthusiasts has already been carried out. Former Union minister of communications and shipping, Milind Deora, who recently joined the Shiv Sena, had also pushed the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to create a "bus priority lane" on the freshly opened MTHL.
The Chairperson of Mahindra and Mahindra, Anand Mahindra, recently took a drive over Atal Setu. Taking to X, he posted a video of his Atal Setu ride. He also referred to the longest sea bridge in India as "a fine piece of engineering."
Mahindra did point out that his journey was a part of his daytime excursion to and from Pune, and he hopes to drive across the bridge again soon to "take in the magnificent view at dusk." He also showed off the bridge's spectacular late-evening view.
Finally got to drive on the Atal Setu the previous weekend.
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) February 6, 2024
A fine piece of engineering that makes you feel like you’re a hovercraft gliding on water.
It was during daytime that I both traveled to and returned from Pune so I couldn’t experience the magnificent view at dusk as… pic.twitter.com/ddq2VZhG69
On the other hand, Atal Setu has been creating a stir since its inauguration on January 12. For the first 10 days following its opening, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) reported recording close to 30,000 automobiles every day. As a result, it collected INR 61.50 lakh in toll income on average per day.
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