- NMIA rolls out buses, taxis, autos, car rentals and shuttles as Winter Schedule approaches
- MSRTC e-Shivai services from October 7 to connect NMIA with Pune, Dadar and Borivali
- 21 Chalo Bus services and seven dedicated NMMT routes widen airport access across Navi Mumbai and Mumbai
- Free hourly shuttle to link Navi Mumbai and Mumbai airports, while Bharat Taxi joins the network from October 10
- Ground mobility capacity scaled to 4,594 vehicles, backed by rail, road, metro and EV-charging connectivity
NE AVIATION BUREAU
NAVI MUMBAI, OCT 5
Navi Mumbai International Airport is preparing to take off not merely as a new aviation gateway but as a new mobility hub for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, with buses, taxis, autorickshaws, car rentals and a free inter-airport shuttle being stitched into one passenger-access network. With the Winter Schedule beginning October 25, NMIA is putting affordability and last-mile connectivity at the heart of its strategy to connect Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune and the wider MMR.
Adani Airport Holdings Limited-operated Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), one of India’s largest greenfield airports, is expanding its ground transportation network ahead of the Winter Schedule, which will run from October 25, 2026 to March 27, 2027.
The airport is offering passengers multiple ways to reach and leave the terminal, ranging from public buses and app-based taxis to autorickshaws, car rentals and dedicated airport shuttles.
The emphasis is on providing passengers with choice across different price points, while creating stronger links between NMIA and Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune and other parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
e-Shivai puts Pune and Mumbai within reach
The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will launch its e-Shivai electric bus services from NMIA on October 7, giving passengers a relatively economical public transport alternative to private vehicles and app-based rides.
The fares from NMIA have been fixed at ₹450 for Pune, ₹210 for Borivali and ₹170 for Dadar East.
Children below 12 years and women travelling with a National Common Mobility Card will be eligible for half-fare, adding a significant affordability component to the airport’s public transport offering.
In the first phase, e-Shivai services will connect NMIA with Dadar, Borivali and Pune, with operations extending from early morning to late night.
The Dadar-NMIA service will operate via Sion and Atal Setu, while the Borivali-NMIA route will connect CSMIA Terminal 1, Bandra and Atal Setu.
The Pune route will have two daily services—one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Connectivity to Thane and Nashik is planned by mid-November, further expanding NMIA’s catchment area.
21 Chalo services, seven NMMT routes
Private bus operator Chalo Bus will operate 21 daily services connecting NMIA with key Mumbai locations, including Marol in Andheri East, Bandra, Dadar and the World Trade Centre in Colaba.
Services will operate at regular intervals during both peak and non-peak periods, with additional capacity being deployed during peak hours to cater to passengers as well as airport employees.
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) will operate seven dedicated airport routes—A1 to A7—linking Terminal 1 with Kharkopar, Targhar, Belapur, Nerul, Panvel, Khandeshwar and the Airport Project Office.
Belapur and Nerul services will operate every 15–20 minutes during peak hours, while further links to Vashi and Panvel are planned.
Together, these services are designed to make airport access less dependent on private cars and more integrated with the region’s public transport network.
Taxis, autos and Bharat Taxi add flexibility
For passengers prioritising convenience or point-to-point connectivity, NMIA is also expanding its taxi and auto ecosystem.
Uber Go and Uber Premier will provide short- and medium-distance ride options, supported by designated pickup zones for smoother passenger boarding. Uber Auto will offer an additional on-demand option for shorter journeys.
Passengers will also have access to prepaid taxis, prepaid autorickshaws and car rentals.
Bharat Taxi will enter the NMIA network from October 10, with a dedicated fleet of up to 40 vehicles.
The combination of app-based and prepaid services is expected to give passengers greater flexibility in choosing between convenience, price and availability.
One airport to another—without leaving the road
Perhaps the most passenger-friendly addition is a complimentary inter-airport shuttle connecting NMIA with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).
The hourly service will be operated jointly by Cityflo, Aarya and Chalo, providing a direct transfer option for passengers who need to travel between Mumbai’s two airports.
For passengers with connecting itineraries involving both airports, the shuttle could become an important link in an increasingly integrated Mumbai aviation system.
4,594-vehicle mobility ecosystem
NMIA is scaling up its overall ground transport capacity to 4,594, comprising 3,787 app-based taxis, 184 car rentals, 171 autorickshaws and 547 buses.
The airport is also deploying dedicated mobility signage, wayfinding systems and on-ground passenger assistance, with separate zones for buses, shuttles, arrivals, departures and private vehicles.
The objective is to ensure that increased transport availability does not translate into confusion at the terminal.
Rail, road and metro connections strengthen the hub
NMIA’s multimodal strategy extends beyond road transport.
The airport is connected to Panvel, Targhar and Bamandongri suburban railway stations, while major road links include Atal Setu, Sion-Panvel Highway, Palm Beach Road, Amra Marg (NH-348A) and NH-548.
Navi Mumbai Metro Line 1 is already operational, while the proposed Mumbai Metro Line 8 is expected to provide a future direct metro link between CSMIA and NMIA.
The airport is also working with the Adani TotalEnergies Gas (ATGL) team to accelerate the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, signalling an attempt to align its expanding ground mobility network with the transition towards cleaner transportation.
As NMIA moves towards its first major Winter Schedule, the bigger test will be whether these multiple transport options can work as one seamless passenger ecosystem.
If fares remain competitive, frequencies reliable and transfers predictable, NMIA’s biggest advantage may ultimately extend beyond the runway: the ability to make getting to the airport almost as convenient as flying from it.