On Wednesday, the Maharashtra State Road Transportation Service announced the decision to restart its sleeper-cum-seater non-AC bus services from Mumbai to Goa. This facility was launched last year in December but due to the coronavirus outbreak, it was halted later. Buses are scheduled to leave from the Mumbai Central depot at 4:30 PM and reach Panjim, the next day in the morning.
Maximum of ₹1500 to be charged for Mumbai-Goa trip by bus
As per reports, a one-way ticket to Goa will cost the passengers ₹965 and they can choose from 15 sleeper berths and 30 pushback seats; fares will be the same for both. According to the norms, private bus contractors can charge a maximum of ₹1,500 for a trip from Mumbai to Goa. The buses will originate at Mumbai Central depot and ferry passengers from Chiplun, Kankavli, Sawantwadi and Mapusa, on the way to Panjim. The fares for different pick-up points are:
- Mumbai to Mapusa: ₹950
- Mumbai to Banda: ₹895
- Mumbai to Sawantwadi: ₹875
- Mumbai to Kankavali: ₹785
COVID-19 negative certificate compulsory for passengers on return journey
Travellers coming to Maharashtra from Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Delhi, are required to furnish a COVID-19 negative report, at airports, railway stations and national highways (in case of inter-state car travel). So keeping this in mind, the MSRTC has also made COVID-19 negative certificate mandatory for passengers returning from Goa to Mumbai, in a bid to keep a check on the number of coronavirus cases in the city.
Knock Knock
The relaunch of this bus service will definitely help passengers to commute, ahead of the festive season. The bus tickets are now affordable for the commoners as well and it is surely highly convenient. Goa has always been the party capital of the country and with some relaxation on gatherings, people are ready to celebrate again with SOPs (Standard Operating Protocols) in place. Visitors are requested to wear masks and follow necessary guidelines to fight the pandemic.
