The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) and bus service provider Cityflo announced on Monday a partnership to operate feeder buses for Metro Line 3, following the launch of the line's third phase on October 8. The service aims to address connectivity gaps between metro stations and residential or commercial areas.
The feeder buses will operate from high-demand stations including Bandra-Kurla Complex, Worli, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Buses are scheduled to run every 10 minutes during peak hours. Single-ride fares are set at ₹29, with a monthly pass available for ₹499.
Commuters will be able to purchase tickets through both the Cityflo app and the Metro Connect 3 app. The companies plan to develop deeper integration that will allow users to book feeder services directly within either application.
Mumbai's elevated Metro Lines 2A and 7 have recorded more than 200 million passenger journeys over three years of operation, with average daily ridership exceeding 300,000. India's metro network has expanded from 248 kilometres across five cities in 2014 to over 1,000 kilometres across 23 cities currently.
Mr. R. Ramana, Director of Planning and Real Estate Development at MMRC, said the success of the metro system depends on accessibility from homes and workplaces. Jerin Venad, CEO of Cityflo, described the partnership as an extension of the company's efforts to facilitate transitions from private vehicles to mass transit.
The initiative represents an effort to integrate rail and bus services in Mumbai's public transportation network. The partnership seeks to encourage metro usage and reduce reliance on private vehicles for urban commuting.