Metro makes Rs 34 lakh on two weekends

BMRCL exploring all possible avenues to boost income

The weekend saw influx of huge crowds into the City - from supporters of BJP leader L K Advani to Metallica fans. While 40,000 people travelled by Metro on Saturday, another 40,000 used the facility till 6 pm on Sunday. The BMRCL saw a collection of Rs 7.50 lakh and Rs six lakh on the two days respectively.

Vasanth Rao, Manager (Finance), BMRCL said number of passengers and figures related to commuters on any given day does not mean much with regard to profits. The sale of smart cards which crossed 10,000 on Monday last week is also added in the revenue figures.

The Corporation has also started selling ‘Collectors’ Edition’ cards priced at Rs 500. Of the 10,000 cards procured from a Mumbai-based company, 6,000 had been despatched to all Metro stations and a few corporate entities.

“For us it is simply business. We cannot expect to run on profit only on the ticket sales. We will think of various other collectibles over the coming months through which the BMRCL will profit,” he said.

Airtel has sponsored the Collectors’ cards. Sharat Tejaswini, spokesperson for Airtel, said the company had purchased 2,000 cards to distribute to its special customers for free.  He added that the card is a branding strategy.

The Corporation has also been exploring other avenues to rake in the moolah. A consultant for advertisements in the Metro stations will soon be finalised, Rao said.