28 July,2025 08:22 AM IST | Mumbai | Shrikant Khuperkar
A KDMT bus on Route No. 55 from Baji Prabhu Chowk to Nivasi Vibhag, on Friday. PIC/SHRIKANT KHUPERKAR
Following a story published in mid-day on July 5, highlighting the suspension of KDMT's AC bus services due to unpaid insurance, the services have now resumed after nearly a month. The buses were off the roads since June 30 as the contractor had failed to clear insurance dues, leaving regular commuters inconvenienced.
On Thursday evening, the contractor cleared the insurance payments, and charging of buses began at Vasant Valley depot in Kalyan West. On Friday, a total of four AC buses were brought back into service, two each in Kalyan and Dombivli. More buses will be added gradually, according to KDMT officials.
Currently, Bus No. 55 (Bajiprabhu Chowk to Nivasi Vibhag, fare Rs 10) and Bus No. 51 (Baji Prabhu Chowk to Casario/Palava, fare R15) is running in Dombivli. In Kalyan, two AC buses are operating on the ring route in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions.
This reporter travelled on Route No. 55 on Friday and found that senior citizens and women passengers are not yet receiving any fare concessions. While regular KDMT buses offer 50 per cent discounts for women and free travel for senior citizens (on showing Aadhaar), the same is not implemented in AC services yet.
Pramod Bagul, Assistant Traffic Controller, confirmed that AC services have resumed on a limited scale and will expand in phases. Social activist Raju Nalawade welcomed the restart but urged KDMT to provide zero-fare tickets for seniors, just like in regular services. "All political parties must follow up on this for senior citizens," he said.
Regular commuter Varsha Mahadik added, "In Thane Municipal Transport, women get half tickets in both AC and non-AC buses. KDMT should also implement this system immediately." Senior citizen Bhalchandra Mhatre, who commutes daily between Nivasi Vibhag and Bajiprabhu Chowk, said, "I'm happy that AC buses have resumed. But we still need at least one more bus, and zero-fare tickets for senior citizens must be introduced."
Rajani Kuche, another passenger, said, "AC buses are comfortable and much needed, especially during monsoon. But the current frequency is too low, and without concessions, daily travel becomes expensive, especially compared to shared autos." The resumption of AC bus services has brought relief to Kalyan-Dombivli commuters, but the demand for fare concessions and increased frequency remains strong.
