Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) project is witnessing an increase in passenger footfall following the launch of services towards HiTec City station.
Friday saw a record 2.8 lakh passengers travelling on the metro across Corridor One (Miyapur to L.B Nagar) and also on Corridor Three (Nagole to HiTec City). If takes into consideration those entering and exiting the stations, clambering on the trains, the figure would be 2.9 lakh.
HMR managing director N.V.S. Reddy informed that apart from the interchange station of Ameerpet, which saw a footfall of 19,000 passengers, HiTec City has been consistently leading with 18,000 passengers followed by L.B. Nagar (16,000), Miyapur (14,000) and KPHB (13,000).
Shuttle services
“On an average, we are noticing an increase of 5,000 passengers per week with the count steadily climbing as more first and last mile connectivity is being established with introduction of shuttle services,” he said.
The metro rail services passenger count has more or less stabilised at 2.65 lakh while it is reducing to 2.10 lakh on the weekends clearing pointing to the fact that office-goers are extensively making use of the facility, Mr. Reddy maintained.
Travel with smart card has equalled travel by tickets or about 1.39 lakh each “which again indicates repeat passengers or loyal customers to the commute”.
Ameerpet interchange station is, of course, the marquee station with over one lakh passengers making use of the facility, also including those who may not be travelling on the trains but making use of the station facility for shopping or eating out.
“We have always been confident our stations are likely to become hubs of activity for families and as hangout places. There is more in the offing as we open more sections,” he added.
Feeder services
Meanwhile, L&T Metro-Hyderabad stated that free metro feeder services are available at the Secunderabad East metro station to Secunderabad railway station from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. through the week with a service frequency of 30 minutes.
Similarly, feeder services are available from 8 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. with 30-minute frequency from Tarnaka metro station to ECIL, Monday to Friday. Shuttle services are also on from Durgam Cheruvu station to Salarpuria Sattva or Knowledge City from Monday to Friday with 15-minute frequency from 8 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Same service with timings and frequency is available from HiTec City to Kothaguda crossroads.
