Not everyone in Navi Mumbai lives within walking distance of a railway station, and the local train doesn’t reach every node. When your commute runs across sectors the railway skips, or you simply want to avoid platform crowds, the NMMT bus network fills the gap. This guide walks through what the network covers, how timings and fares work in 2026, and the apps that actually tell you when your bus is coming.
Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) runs a large network of ordinary and AC Volvo services across the city. Routes connect the major nodes from Airoli down to Uran, and inter-city services reach Thane, Kalyan, Mumbra and even South Mumbai. A note before we start: NMMT revises fares and timings periodically, so treat the figures below as a working guide and confirm the exact fare on the BusTracker app or with the conductor before a longer trip. NMMT also runs five dedicated AC shuttle routes to Navi Mumbai International Airport; see our complete guide on how to reach Navi Mumbai Airport for those routes, fares and timings.
What the NMMT network covers
The ordinary bus network is the backbone of local travel within Navi Mumbai. These buses link residential sectors to railway stations, markets and commercial hubs, and they’re the cheapest way to move around the city. Many routes are designed as feeders, carrying people the last kilometre or two between a station and their sector so they don’t have to pay auto-rickshaw fares for a short hop.
On top of the ordinary network, NMMT runs AC Volvo services aimed at longer, more comfortable journeys, including express corridors into South Mumbai. Since the Atal Setu (MTHL) opened, NMMT has added AC routes to Mantralaya that cross the sea link, cutting a good chunk off the old road commute for office-goers headed to the administrative heart of the city.
Fares in 2026
Ordinary bus fares are among the lowest of any transport option in the region. The minimum ordinary fare is in the region of ₹10, and most short intra-city rides fall in the ₹10 to ₹25 range depending on distance. Compared with the ₹100-plus you’d pay an auto for the same trip, the feeder bus is a fraction of the cost.
AC Volvo fares start higher, from around ₹15, and rise with distance. The premium express routes are a different tier: the AC services to Mantralaya via Atal Setu are priced for the full cross-city journey, with the Nerul–Mantralaya route around ₹230 and Kharghar–Mantralaya around ₹270 at the time of writing. Fares on these premium corridors change with revisions, so check the current rate before you rely on it.
| Service | Typical fare (2026) |
|---|---|
| Ordinary bus (minimum) | ~₹10 |
| Ordinary intra-city ride | ~₹10–₹25 |
| AC Volvo (minimum) | ~₹15 |
| AC express to Mantralaya (Nerul) | ~₹230 |
| AC express to Mantralaya (Kharghar) | ~₹270 |
Timings and frequency
Most NMMT routes begin operating around 5:30 to 6:00 AM, with the last buses on the main corridors running until roughly 10:30 to 11:00 PM. Busy routes such as Vashi–Belapur and Kharghar–Panvel see a bus every 10 to 15 minutes during peak hours; quieter routes run less often, so it’s worth checking the timetable rather than turning up and hoping.
AC Volvo services generally run on a tighter window, starting a little later in the morning and finishing earlier at night than the ordinary buses. Frequency also drops noticeably on Sundays and public holidays, so if your weekend plans depend on a specific route, confirm that day’s schedule in advance.
AC express routes into South Mumbai
For anyone commuting from Navi Mumbai to offices around Mantralaya and Fort, the AC express buses are a genuine alternative to a packed morning train. You get a guaranteed seat and air-conditioning, and the Atal Setu crossing keeps travel time down compared with the older road route through Sion and the eastern freeway. Actual journey time still depends on traffic at the Mumbai end, so allow a buffer during peak hours.
Feeder routes from railway stations
A large share of NMMT routes exist to connect railway stations with the sectors around them. Step out of Kharghar, Vashi, Nerul, Belapur or Panvel station and you’ll usually find a feeder bus heading towards the residential sectors nearby. For residents living more than a kilometre from their station, these feeders turn an expensive daily auto ride into a few rupees each way, which adds up over a month of commuting.
How to find your route and track your bus
The official NMMT BusTracker app is the most reliable way to see live bus locations, estimated arrival times at your stop and route maps. For planning, the BusKosh app keeps a searchable database of routes with stop-by-stop breakdowns, and Moovit combines NMMT schedules with walking directions and transfer suggestions if your trip involves more than one mode. Between them you can plan a door-to-door commute without guessing at the bus stop.
Common questions
What time do NMMT buses start and stop running?
Most routes start around 5:30 to 6:00 AM, and the last buses on main corridors run until roughly 10:30 to 11:00 PM. AC services typically start a little later and finish earlier, and frequency drops on Sundays and holidays.
How much does an NMMT bus ticket cost?
The ordinary bus minimum fare is around ₹10, with most short intra-city rides costing ₹10 to ₹25. AC Volvo fares start from about ₹15, while premium AC express routes to Mantralaya via Atal Setu are much higher (roughly ₹230–₹270). Fares are revised periodically, so confirm the current rate.
Is there a real-time bus tracking app for NMMT?
Yes. The official NMMT BusTracker app shows live vehicle locations, expected arrival times and route maps. BusKosh and Moovit are useful companions for route planning and multi-mode trips.
Do NMMT buses go to Mumbai?
Yes. NMMT runs inter-city and AC express services to Mumbai, including routes to Mantralaya in South Mumbai that now cross the Atal Setu sea link, along with connections to Thane, Kalyan and Mumbra.
Can I use a digital or monthly pass on NMMT buses?
Yes. Monthly passes are available at NMMT depot counters, and digital ticketing options are offered on many routes. If you commute daily, a pass usually works out cheaper than paying per trip.
