Bridge linking boosts Bengaluru metro ridership

Better accessibility brings more people to the metro. Testimony to this is the upward trend in ridership at the City Railway metro station, two months after the opening of a bridge linking platform No. 10 of the Krantivira Sangolli Rayanna railway station.

The metro station has had a daily ridership of just about 4,500 until February. Passengers had a hard time walking 300 metres from the metro station to the railway station. Women passengers were complaining that the dimly lit broken road was a nightmare during late hours.

On February 18, a foot overbridge between the two stations opened after much delay, to the relief of the passengers.

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited Executive Director (Operations and Management), A S Shankar, said the monthly ridership figures at the City Railway metro station had gone up by 25,000.

“The bridge has had a positive impact on ridership. Many of the passengers have shifted from Kempegowda (Majestic) metro station to the City Railway metro station as it provides better connectivity. The numbers will go up further as more people come to know about the facility,” he added.

The station’s monthly ridership is still very low at 2 lakh compared to that of other stations. However, the jump from 1.75 lakh to 2 lakh in two months has given hope to officials that the full potential of the station will be utilised.

Escalator coming up

However, an escalator at the entrance of the metro station, supposed to help passengers to climb the bridge, is yet to become functional. One has to climb two levels of steps to reach the bridge.

Officials said a pending safety inspection had led to the delay.

“We have already received complaints from several passengers. The escalator will function within a day or two,” an official said.