Navi Mumbai: Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) started two new services to connect Panvel with Taloja and Nere from Tuesday.
Panvel City Municipal Commissoner Sudhakar Shinde had requested his Navi Mumbai counterpart, N. Ramaswami, to start new routes in Panvel City, which does not have an independent transport utility.
Route 77 will connect Panvel Station (East) and Mahalaxmi Nagar, Sector 3, in Nere via Sukapur Circle. Buses on route 78 will run between Panvel Station and Hikal Company in Taloja MIDC via Kalamboli Circle.
“Taloja MIDC is an industrial hub, and people faced immense problem commuting there. Labourers had to travel in illegal six-seaters, and autorickshaws. Nere has many new construction projects,” Shirish Aradhwad, NMMT manager, said.
On Route 77, the first and last bus from Panvel Station will be at 6.30 a.m. and 10.47 p.m. respectively, and from Nere at 7 a.m. and 11.30 p.m. On Route 78, the first and last bus from Panvel will be at 6 a.m. and 10.15 p.m. respectively, and from Taloja at 7 a.m. and 11.15 p.m. Route 77 will have a frequency of 15 to 20 minutes, while Route 78 of 20 to 30 minutes, Mr. Aradhwad said.