After facing stiff resistance from the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking for starting air-conditioned bus services on the Belapur-Bandra route, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) has decided to introduce additional services as it is turning out to be a profitable route for them.

The NMMT would run five more Volvo AC buses, procured under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), on this route from next week, said NMMT chairman Sasi Damodaran.

A senior NMMT official said the civic body currently runs 20-25 services daily and has five AC buses on this route. With the introduction of five more buses, the services would double with 50 trips a day. This would also reduce the waiting time for commuters as the frequency of the buses will increase.

The bus route no 105 from Bandra to Belapur is also turning out to be a profitable one for the NMMT. The route generates revenue of Rs 11,000-12,000 daily.

“Since the frequency was less, we used to loose out on commuters. But now that the services would be increased, we hope to cater to them as well and make this route profitable,” said the officer. BEST also runs buses on this route and it is one of the profit-making routes. With more buses on this route, it is a win-win situation for the commuters.

Meanwhile, the NMMT has made a minor change in the route. “We have decided to make minor changes in route and give a halt at Kalanagar and then go to Bandra station (west). With this, we can cater to people wanting to go to Bandra-Kurla-Complex,” the officer added.

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