Kochi Metro’s average ridership touches 17,000 per day

KOCHI: The

Kochi

Metro’s average

ridership

has touched 17,000 per day. This is an increase from the average ridership of 8,000 per day recorded during the initial days of restarting the Metro services after the lockdown.

The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd

(KMRL) had resumed

train services

on September 7 and opened the stretch between Thykoodam to Petta for commercial operations. So, after a hiatus of 173 days due to the

Covid-19 pandemic

, Kochi Metro began operating services along the 25.612 km and 22 stations.

According to Kochi Metro spokesperson, KMRL has taken every possible precaution for ensuring a safe journey. Even at a time when public transport is losing its sheen, Kochi Metro could win the trust of commuters.

“Compared to all other forms of public transport, we maintain the highest standards of hygiene. There is no compromise when it comes to sanitization of trains and

Metro premises

. Moreover, KMRL ensures that commuters use sanitizers and masks and temperatures are checked before entering trains. These measures have created a positive vibe,” he said.

At the same time, the Metro agency is cautious about large number of people entering the Metro premises. The pandemic has not yet been brought under control. Despite sharp criticism against the Metro for reduced passenger patronage, neither the state government nor KMRL are in a position to promote or encourage crowds to enter the Metro premises.

“Such measures could be dangerous in the context of the pandemic. We can only go slow,” said a senior government official.

Commenting on the demand to reduce ticket rates and bring in more commuters, he said: “In many places, we can see buses filed with passengers. But if Metro resorts to something of that kind in the present circumstances, it will turn out to be counterproductive. KMRL will come under fire.”

Officials are of the view that it would take considerable time for Kochi Metro to touch the average ridership of 65,000 recorded during the pre-Covid times.

Meanwhile, it is pointed out that the other Metros operating in the country are also going through a similar phase. Though these Metros are also getting passenger patronage, they are yet to catch up with the ridership recorded during pre-Covid days.

Since restarting services, the Delhi Metro carries 14.75 lakh passengers along 389km with 285 stations.

The Hyderabad Metro Rail

(HMR) carries 1.34 lakh passengers along 69km and 57 stations, the Bengaluru Metro carries 68,716 passengers along 42km and 12 stations and the Chennai Metro carries 29,141 passengers along 45km across 32 stations.