Buses, bikes & taxis: NMRC plans to improve last-mile connectivity

Noida: The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) is planning to develop an integrated multi-modal connectivity system where commuters can ride its buses, e-bike and cars to and from the stations.
This time, the NMRC is planning to engage different vendors to provide the transport services — unlike the last time when one contractor was hired to run its city bus service.
“We have studied last-mile connectivity options provided by metro corporations in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi and so on. The NMRC’s model will be unique. People can avail of the services through a mobile app. Users can identify stoppages for e-bikes, taxis and bus stands and book them according to their convenience,” an NMRC official said.
According to the official, the project is in the nascent stage and the number of bikes, cabs or buses to be engaged are yet to be decided. The NMRC-run Aqua Line has 21 stations penetrating deep into Greater Noida.
In 2016, the NMRC had launched its city bus service but had to suspend it in March 2020 because of the Covid outbreak. In December that year, the services were shut fully. The city service boasted a fleet of 50 low-floor buses that took commuters from the stations to the interior villages. These buses ran on 11 routes in Noida, Greater Noida and Noida Extension, but were believed to be incurring massive losses.
The NMRC will soon submit a proposal to higher authorities about its plan to develop the multi-modal connectivity system. Ritu Maheshwari, the NMRC managing director and Noida Authority CEO, said a tender would be issued to engage buses again. “The Noida Authority has issued a separate tender to engage e-bikes,” she said.
The Aqua Line has been recording a steady rise in ridership. In the past four days, it has moved over 30,000 commuters on an average — 31,277 on May 12, 32,478 on May 11, 31,797 on May 10 and 32,783 on May 9.