The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has recently introduced a free bus service and loader service for baggage to assist passengers traveling on the Mumbai Metro-3 line. This initiative aims to ease the journey between the Airport (A2 entry, west side) and T2 (P4 entry- pick up and drop). The 21-seater bus will operate every 15 minutes, from 6.30 am to 11 pm on weekdays and from 8.15 am to 11 pm on Sundays.
In just one week, from October 7 to 13, the Mumbai Metro-3 line, also known as Aqua Line 3, recorded an impressive ridership of 1.55 lakh passengers. The numbers reflect a positive response from the public since the phase-1 of the city’s first underground corridor was opened to the public on October 7. People flocked to experience the Aarey-BKC Metro Line 3 ride on its inaugural day, which commenced at 11 am amidst excitement and cheers from commuters.
During the inauguration of the 12.69-km Mumbai Metro-3 stretch on October 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi traveled from BKC to Santacruz and back, interacting with students, beneficiaries of the Maharashtra government’s Ladki Bahin scheme, and laborers involved in the construction of the underground line. The MMRC is overseeing the Colaba-SEEPZ-Aarey project, covering a total of 33.5 km.
The Aarey-BKC Metro Line 3 services are available from 6.30 am to 10.30 pm on weekdays and from 8.30 am to 10.30 pm on Sundays. The fares for the Aqua Line range from Rs 10 to Rs 50, making it an affordable and convenient mode of transportation for the residents of Mumbai.
The BKC to Aarey stretch comprises 10 stations, including BKC, Bandra Colony, Santacruz, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) T1, Sahar Road, CSMIA T2, Marol Naka, Andheri, SEEPZ, and Aarey Colony JVLR. While most of these stations are underground, the Aarey JVLR station is the only one above ground.
The Aqua Line marks the fourth Metro corridor in Mumbai, following the Ghatkopar-Andheri-Versova Line 1, Andheri West-Dahisar Line 2A, and Andheri East-Dahisar Line 7. The increasing connectivity and accessibility provided by these Metro lines are crucial for addressing the city’s growing transportation needs and improving the overall commuting experience for residents and visitors alike.
