The fortunes of Namma Metro have been on the rise since June when the entire Phase I was completed and made operational. Ridership, which was well below 2 lakh, rose to around 3.5 lakh in just a few months, and new records are being set every day.
On Thursday, thanks to the India-Australia cricket match, around 4.1 lakh people used Namma Metro, bringing the demand for additional coaches back to the forefront. In fact, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL), just a day before the match, announced new timings with increased frequency from October 3, acknowledging the rush that has now become a familiar sight across metro stations.
In addition to increasing frequency, the BMRCL has also doubled its short-loop services between Baiyappanahalli and Kempegowda Interchange stations to four. However, while the increase in frequency has generally been welcomed by commuters, the demand now seems to be for quick addition of coaches.
“I hope they have a separate women’s coach after December. It would be of real help during rush hour as women can travel safely. Right now, it is a nightmare during peak hours,” said Rashmi B.N., a commuter.
5 lakh capacity
However, while the stations and trains might seem crowded, the network is currently equipped to handle up to 5 lakh passengers — a target BMRCL hopes to hit by December or early next year. At present, in the absence of additional coaches, tactics such as increasing frequency and running short loops, besides encouraging queuing, are being used to assist passengers. They seem to have worked on Thursday.
Additional coaches are expected to be in operation by mid-December. Initially, two sets of three coaches each will be installed with delivery schedules being ramped up by BEML in the coming months. “We are targeting a ridership of 7 lakh by mid-2018 and expect to reach 10 lakh by the end of 2018, when most trains will have six coaches,” a senior BMRCL official said.
