Three weeks after its launch, the ridership pattern on Namma Metro appears to be stabilising and the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), which restructured its Metro Feeder Service routes, is happy that the change is yielding positive results.
Barring the three days last weekend, which included a holiday on November 7, the average number of passengers who took Namma Metro daily was around 24,000. On November 5, 39,705 people travelled on the metro generating Rs. 6.16 lakh in revenue, followed by 61,010 travellers and Rs. 9.6 lakh revenue on November 6, and 50,987 travellers with a revenue of Rs. 7.88 lakh on November 7.
The numbers
After the weekend and the holiday, the numbers and traffic revenue came down to 29,233 and Rs. 4.5 lakh on November 8, 24,983 and Rs. 3.78 lakh on November 9, 24289 and Rs. 3.81 lakh on November 10, and 24,874 and Rs. 3.63 lakh on November 11. Again on November 12, Saturday, the numbers and revenue went up to 43,000 and Rs. 6.35 lakh.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., (BMRCL) said that the weekday numbers could represent regular travellers, which is increasing marginally every week. Chief Public Relations Officer B.L. Yashvanth Chavan said during the preceding week, the average number of travellers was around 22,000 to 23,000, which has increased by about 1,000 the next week. “We expect more people as regular travellers in the coming weeks,” he said.
Feeder service
On the other hand, BMTC, which had rationalised its Metro Feeder Service routes from November first week, said the ridership has increased considerably. Chief Traffic Manager (Operations) M.P. Prabhudas said the commuter response has slightly been positive and it will continue to run the service.
Initially, the feeder services were plying on routes in circles around six metro stations and the response did not get expected ridership. The routes were then changed so as to connect different parts of the city, including Majestic, K.R. Market, Jayanagar and Hosur Road.
Twin benefits
A senior BMTC official said: “This change of routes has benefited people in two ways. While those from different parts of the city wanting to travel on the metro can directly reach a station, regulars to M.G. Road and surrounding areas — for employment or other work — get direct bus service to Market and Majestic. Extension of three Big 10 buses, from Yelahanka, Nelamangala and Bagalur to M.G. Road, too has helped many.”
The officer said except MF4 between Central Silk Board and Kalyan Nagar, traffic revenue on all other services is almost sufficient to meet the operational expenditure. He hoped the commuter patronage will increase in the coming days.
