State Plans Unified Bus Network Across MMR by July

In a major step towards creating a seamless public transport system across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), the Maharashtra government has initiated plans to integrate bus services operated by multiple civic transport undertakings under a common framework. The state aims to roll out the unified bus transport plan by July.

According to a Government Resolution (GR) issued on Monday, the initiative seeks to develop an Integrated Bus Transportation Plan for the MMR by coordinating routes, schedules, fares, technology systems and infrastructure among various public transport operators. The move is expected to improve connectivity and make travel across municipal boundaries more convenient for commuters.

An eight-member technical committee, headed by an official from the city bus undertaking, has been tasked with preparing a route rationalisation plan by July 15. The committee will review existing routes, eliminate service overlaps, synchronise bus schedules, recommend infrastructure sharing, and formulate a common fare framework for inter-city travel across the region.

The panel will also examine the introduction of a revenue-sharing mechanism for routes that pass through multiple municipal jurisdictions. In addition, it will prepare recommendations for technology integration and common ticketing systems to provide a smoother travel experience for passengers.

A separate high-level study group headed by the General Manager of Mumbai's bus transport undertaking and comprising municipal commissioners from across the MMR will evaluate the recommendations and submit a final proposal to the state government by July 31.

One of the key proposals under consideration is a uniform fare structure across all participating transport operators. The study group will also assess the feasibility of a telescopic fare system, under which fares decrease progressively over longer distances, benefiting commuters travelling across multiple cities within the metropolitan region.

The initiative forms part of the Centre-backed Growth Hub (G-HUB) programme proposed by NITI Aayog, under which the Mumbai Metropolitan Region has been selected as a pilot city-region. State authorities believe the project will lay the foundation for a unified, technology-driven and passenger-friendly bus network serving millions of daily commuters across the region.

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