Air passengers traveling through Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) are set to receive major public transit upgrades linking the facility with surrounding urban centers. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is introducing its zero-emission E-Shivai electric buses to connect the airport with multiple key destinations across Mumbai and Pune. Complemented by complimentary airport shuttle services and private buses, the move aims to provide budget-friendly, seamless transit specifically for commuters headed toward western and southern Mumbai.
Rollout of E-Shivai Routes and Official Fare Structure
To establish dependable intercity links, MSRTC will officially inaugurate its E-Shivai electric bus operations from the new airport starting October 7, 2026. Travelers will be able to book direct trips to Dadar East, Borivali, and Pune. Fares have been structured transparently: a ride from the airport to Dadar East costs ₹170, the route to Borivali is priced at ₹210, and a direct ticket to Pune stands at ₹450.
The buses bound for Dadar will travel via Sion and the Atal Setu corridor, significantly cutting travel time across the harbour. Meanwhile, the Borivali route is mapped out to link NMIA with Mumbai Airport Terminal-1, Bandra, and Atal Setu, creating a direct vehicular artery between key aviation hubs and commercial pockets.
Concessions for Women Commuters and Children
The newly introduced bus framework incorporates targeted fare discounts to ease household travel expenses. Children under 12 years of age as well as female passengers paying through the National Common Mobility Card will be charged half the standard fare. This subsidy is designed to offer substantial financial relief to families and solo women commuters navigating airport transfers.
Expansion plans are already moving forward to broaden this regional connectivity. Transport authorities are preparing dedicated bus links connecting the airport to Thane and Nashik, with operations anticipated to go live by the middle of November.
Hourly Free Transfers Between Airports and Civic Transit Routes
Transit between Navi Mumbai International Airport and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai will be supported by a dedicated complimentary transfer service. An hourly free shuttle bus will operate directly between both aviation facilities to accommodate passengers transferring between domestic and international itineraries.
Local urban networks are also augmenting their services. Under BEST's 'Chalo Bus' initiative, daily buses currently connect NMIA with Marol in Andheri East, Bandra, Dadar, and the World Trade Centre in Colaba. Simultaneously, NMMT provides transit connectivity from the airport complex to nearby nodes including Kharkopar, Targhar, Belapur, Nerul, Panvel, and Khandeshwar.
Flight Shifts Anticipated Amid Terminal-1 Redevelopment
Traffic handling at NMIA may accelerate substantially in the near future due to planned infrastructure upgrades at Mumbai Airport, where the redevelopment of Terminal-1 is slated to commence in January 2027. Ahead of this timeline, discussions are under way regarding proposals to divert certain international flight operations to Navi Mumbai.
Addressing this transition, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has convened a high-level meeting involving airline carriers and representatives from Adani Airport Holdings. Shifting scheduled flights will inevitably ramp up passenger footfall at NMIA, underscoring the critical necessity of expanding electric bus networks, shuttles, and civic transit infrastructure before major operational shifts take effect.
