Namma Metro hit a new milestone on August 14, 2024, with an all-time high daily ridership of 9.17 lakh passengers, surpassing its previous record of 8.26 lakh set just a week earlier on August 7.
The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) reported that 4.43 lakh people used the Purple Line, 3.01 lakh took the Green Line, and 1.72 lakh commuters passed through the busy Majestic interchange station.
Metro ridership in Bengaluru has been on a steady rise, climbing from an average of 7.01 lakh daily riders in January to 7.45 lakh by June this year. Although the July numbers are yet to be released, the trend suggests continued growth, especially since the entire Purple Line became operational in October 2023. However, this surge in passengers has led to overcrowding during peak hours.
With the upcoming launch of the 3.14-km Green Line extension from Nagasandra to Madavara, ridership is expected to increase by another 30,000 daily, expanding Bengaluru’s metro network to nearly 77 km.
BMRCL Managing Director M Maheshwar Rao acknowledged the challenges posed by the growing ridership, noting that crowd management strategies are being considered.
According to Deccan Herald, “We are analyzing daily boardings and peak flow to optimize train schedules and reduce crowding,” Rao said. Measures like train diversions and additional lifts at Majestic station are already in place, and platform screen doors are planned to prevent accidents.
Despite the rising demand, BMRCL won’t be able to add more trains this year. The first batch of 21 new trains from China’s CRRC Nanjing Puzhen and its Indian partner Titagarh Rail System Ltd will only be ready by 2025.
Meanwhile, the much-anticipated 19.15-km Yellow Line from RV Road to Bommasandra, serving Bengaluru’s tech hubs, is set to open by December. This line will be supported by 15 trains from CRRC-Titagarh.
Here’s a look at Namma Metro’s highest daily ridership figures:
- August 14, 2024: 9.17 lakh
- August 7, 2024: 8.26 lakh
- August 15, 2022: 8.25 lakh
- July 19, 2024: 8.08 lakh
- May 27, 2024: 7.86 lakh
- January 25, 2024: 7.82 lakh
- February 24, 2024: 7.59 lakh
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