The fall in the number of commuters using the Kochi metro is not worrisome, as the MG Road extension in October has begun paying dividends, with the average daily ridership more than doubling as compared to September, KMRL officials said.
The daily income had hit rock bottom at ₹4.30 lakh (when the average daily number of commuters nosedived to 12,926) in September. The daily revenue had hit the roof just after commissioning in June at ₹20.45 lakh, when an average of 50,000 commuters used the system. A record collection of ₹33.34 lakh was recorded in June 26.
The post-MG Road extension figures stand at ₹10.28 lakh a day, showing similarities with the income of ₹10.81 lakh in July when joy riders and the selfie crowd kept cash registers ringing. “The daily ridership now hovers between 25,000 and 30,000, touching 50,000 on weekends and holidays,” a Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) spokesperson said.
The FIFA Under-17 World Cup match at the international stadium between Brazil and Spain saw the income touch ₹19.93 lakh on October 7, when 54,650 commuters used the metro.
“There is no cause for concern, since the ridership will stabilise over the coming months. Even now, the Kochi metro is recording much better ridership than the figures of most other metros during their infancy. In fact, we now enjoy more patronage than that enjoyed by Bangalore and Chennai metros a year after they were commissioned,” the spokesperson added.
Replying to an RTI query on ridership details filed by Ebenser C.L. of Greater Cochin Development Watch (GCDW), KMRL said: “Initial ridership does not indicate long-term trends. We hope the projected ridership will be met when entire network is ready.”
He added: “It is high time KMRL announced dynamic fare like the 26% discount on off-peak-hour trips by the Jaipur metro. It must also introduce one-day / tourist card which can be availed for ₹50 or ₹100, using which one can travel unlimited trips. A coach reserved for women will further help raise ridership,” Mr. Ebenser added.
Survey on
KMRL sources said a month-long survey is under way to determine the travel patterns of commuters. “This [survey] will enable us to know whether commuters travel for work, shopping, studies. or for joy ride. A decision on discounts and feeder trips will be taken on the basis of the survey,” they added.
