The number of persons using the Chennai Metro Rail dipped to 55,000 on Wednesday when the authorities ended free rides that were on offer since Friday last.
Ever since the fourth and fifth stretches of the Metro Rail were launched on May 25, the number of people using the service was around 1 lakh a day, with Sunday seeing 1,84,000 passengers.
Commuters have time and again complained that Metro Rail fares were high. They range between ₹10 and ₹70 and the fare doubles in the special class.
But officials said that they were not likely to reduce the fares for now. “The free rides were given to people to realise how convenient the train is. When the service is free, naturally the number of people travelling will be high. In a few weeks, we will know the average number of people travelling by Metro,” an official said.
Ever since the first service of Chennai Metro Rail from Koyambedu to Alandur began in June 2015, the number of people travelling regularly in this system has been quite low. Initially, it was 10,000 and after the second stretch from Little Mount to Chennai airport was opened, it rose marginally. When the underground stretch from Thirumangalam to Nehru Park became operational, it increased to 22,000.
