Mumbai gears up for New Year 2026 with late-night metro, bus and local train services. Representational Pic
With large crowds expected across Mumbai on New Year's Eve, civic and transport authorities have announced special travel arrangements, including extended metro operations, additional BEST buses and special suburban train services on the night of December 31.
Mumbai Metro:
Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) has announced extended services on Metro Line-1 (Versova-Ghatkopar) to facilitate hassle-free travel during New Year's Eve celebrations.
On Wednesday, Metro Line-1 will operate 28 additional services, taking the total number of trips to 504, up from the regular 476. The last metro services will run well past midnight, with trains operating until 2.14 am from Versova and 2.40 am from Ghatkopar on January 1, 2026.
During peak hours, trains will run every 3 minutes and 20 seconds, while off-peak frequency will be 5 minutes and 55 seconds. Late-night services will operate at 12-minute intervals, starting at 11.26 pm from Versova and 11.52 pm from Ghatkopar.
The first metro services on December 31 will depart at 5.30 am from both terminals.
Metro Lines 2A and 7 on Wednesday announced that it will operate well past midnight. The last trains from Andheri West and Gundavali stations will depart at 1:00 am, instead of the usual 11:00 pm.
16 additional late-night services will be operated, with trains running at 15-minute intervals.
Mumbai Metro Aqua Line-3 will operate throughout the night on New Year's Eve, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) announced.
The special night service will begin at 10.30 pm on December 31 and continue until 5.55 am on January 1, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for commuters celebrating across the city. Regular services will resume from 5.55 am onwards.
Mumbai BEST Bus:
To cater to late-night commuters, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking will operate additional bus services across key routes between 10 pm and 12.30 am on December 31.
Extra buses will ply to popular New Year's Eve hotspots such as Gateway of India, Juhu Chowpatty, Gorai Creek and Marve Chowpatty.
Additional services will run on regular routes C-86, 203 and 231, along with AC routes A-21, A-112, A-116, A-247, A-272 and A-294.
BEST will also operate its popular Heritage Tour bus from 5.30 pm on December 31 into the early hours of January 1, subject to passenger demand.
Mumbai Railway:
Central Railway
Central Railway will operate four special suburban trains during the midnight hours of December 31 and January 1 on the Main Line and Harbour Line.
Main Line:
CSMT to Kalyan: 1.30 am to 3.00 am
Kalyan to CSMT: 1.30 am to 3.00 am
Harbour Line:
CSMT to Panvel: 1.30 am to 2.50 am
Panvel to CSMT: 1.30 am to 2.50 am
All special trains will halt at all stations along their routes.
Western Railway
Western Railway has announced four additional pairs of special local trains between Churchgate and Virar during the late-night and early-morning hours of December 31 and January 1.
The move aims to manage the expected rush of passengers and provide safe and convenient travel options for New Year's Eve revellers, late-night workers and office-goers.
Advisory to commuters
Authorities have urged citizens to use public transport, check timings in advance and follow safety instructions while travelling late at night. Passengers have also been advised to avoid overcrowding and cooperate with railway and transport staff to ensure a smooth New Year commute.
