The Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) has launched Metro feeder bus routes in Ahmedabad, connecting the Apparel Park Metro Station to surrounding neighbourhoods and offering residents a faster, more affordable last-mile solution. The initiative, welcomed by daily commuters, has particularly eased access to key destinations including Maninagar and LG Hospital.

How the Feeder Routes Work

Two dedicated routes — Feeder Route No. 8 (Circular) and Feeder Route No. 9 (Anti-Circular) — serve residents within an approximately 10-km radius of Apparel Park Metro Station. A total of 32 trips are operational daily across both routes, comprising 16 circular and 16 anti-circular runs. Buses operate at intervals of 40 to 45 minutes.

A notable feature of the service is its on-demand boarding: passengers can signal the bus to stop at any point along the route, removing the need to locate a designated bus stop. The circular route passes through LG Hospital, Rambagh, Maninagar Station, Dakshini Avkar Hall, and Hatkeshwar before returning to Apparel Park Metro Station via Swastik Char Rasta.

Commuters Welcome the Change

Residents who previously struggled with inadequate public transport links say the service has markedly reduced their daily commute burden. Rakesh Saxena, a commuter from Ahmedabad, said, 'AMTS launched new bus service from Apparel Park that travels via LG Hospital and Rambagh to Maninagar Station, Dakshini Avkar Hall, and Hatkeshwar, before returning to the Metro station via Swastik Char Rasta. It is a circular route. The most important aspect of this bus service is that you don't need a bus stop, the bus will stop wherever you signal it.'

Another commuter, Badras Desai, said, 'It provides excellent connectivity to Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) or Metro networks. The bus stops wherever you signal it to.'

Fares and Affordability

The fare for the Metro feeder bus service is set at ₹5 for adults and ₹3 for children, positioning it as one of the most affordable public transit options in the city. AMTS Committee Chairman Parag Naik said, 'For just ₹5, this bus will take you via all the designated stops and bring you back to the Apparel Park Metro Station. This service provides connectivity for those wishing to use the Metro but lacking direct access to it; consequently, people will be encouraged to leave their personal vehicles behind and use this bus.'

What Officials Said

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Mayor Hiteshbhai Barot said, 'Just as we were already operating Metro-linked feeder buses in other parts of Ahmedabad, a Metro feeder bus service has now been launched in Hatkeshwar as well. A passenger can simply signal with their hand to board the bus. These feeder buses have been introduced to enable people to quickly reach the nearby Metro station.'

This comes amid broader efforts to strengthen integrated urban mobility in Gujarat. By linking the AMTS bus network with the Metro and the existing Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), the city is building a layered public transport grid that could serve as a model for other Tier-1 cities. With the Hatkeshwar corridor now covered, the next phase of expansion will be closely watched.