In four months, Metro earns Rs 2.85 crore

Over 21 lakh people have taken the Namma Metro plying between MG Road and Baiyyapannahalli in the past four months fetching the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRC) Rs 2.85 crore in revenues.

According to BMRC officials in June this year, 5,56,585 persons travelled on Metro earning a corresponding revenue of Rs 73,39,880. In July, 5,31,388 persons used the Metro earning the department revenue of Rs 68,73,487. Similarly, number of travelers was 5,54,198 in August and 5,49,396 last month bringing Rs 72,27,922 and Rs 71,37,932 in August and September respectively.

On an average, 17,000-18,000 people travel on the stretch and average daily earnings is Rs 2.3 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh, a BMRC official said. On weekends, the number of commuters is around 20,000, he added.

According to IT professional Nishant, “although the distance the Metro covers is small, it saves time and traffic chaos.” However, several daily commuters, rue that the intervals between the Metro are longer and should be reduced. As of now, between 8 am and 8 pm, the Metro runs at intervals of 10 minutes. Between 6 am and 8 am and 8 pm and 10 pm, the interval is 15 minutes. “I travel by Metro regularly and even though it is crowded on weekends it bails me out of traffic for at least halfway to my office,” said Srirupa.