On August 6, 2024, Bengaluru Metro ridership set a new benchmark by recording its highest-ever ridership of 8.65 lakh passengers. This surge highlights the increasing role of the Metro as a crucial component of Bengaluru’s public transport system. As the city grapples with increasing traffic congestion and unpredictable weather conditions, the Metro’s role in providing a reliable and efficient travel option becomes increasingly critical. The record-breaking Bangalore Metro ridership underscores the evolving dynamics of urban mobility in Bengaluru and sets a new benchmark for the city’s ambitious transit goals.
Key Ridership Statistics:
- Purple Line: Running from Challaghatta in West Bengaluru to Kadugodi (Whitefield) in the East, this line recorded 4.06 lakh passengers.
- Green Line: Spanning from Nagasandra in the northwest to Silk Institute in the south, it saw 2.61 lakh passengers.
- Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station (Majestic): The busiest interchange station between the Purple and Green Lines recorded 1.59 lakh passengers.
Currently, the operational network covers 73 km, with the Purple Line extending 42.17 km and the Green Line 30 km.
Previous Records and Trends
The previous highest ridership was 8.25 lakh on August 15, 2022, coinciding with significant public events and a shorter Metro network of 56 km. Despite the introduction of the Shakti scheme on June 11, 2023, which offers free travel for women on non-AC buses, Bangalore Metro ridership has continued to rise.
Bengaluru Metro’s Ridership
Highest Daily Footfall
| Station | Entry | Exit | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station, Majestic | 28,976 | 36,220 | 65,196 |
| Bennigana Halli | 25,515 | 28,617 | 54,132 |
| Indiranagar | 23,021 | 30,334 | 53,355 |
| MG Road | 21,799 | 27,652 | 49,451 |
| Nagasandra | 18,304 | 22,595 | 40,899 |
| KR Pura | 17,411 | 20,643 | 38,054 |
| Mantri Square Sampige Road | 15,487 | 20,622 | 36,469 |
| Banashankari | 15,363 | 19,850 | 35,213 |
| Trinity | 15,117 | 19,373 | 34,490 |
| Sir M Visvesvaraya Station, Central College | 14,762 | 19,253 | 34,015 |
| Jayanagar | 14,306 | 19,055 | 33,361 |
| Byappanahalli | 15,044 | 17,894 | 32,938 |
| Vijayanagar | 13,977 | 17,854 | 31,781 |
| National College | 12,499 | 17,341 | 29,840 |
| Vidhana Soudha | 12,751 | 16,383 | 29,134 |
| Pattandur Agrahara (ITPB) | 13,324 | 15,741 | 29,065 |
| Chickpete | 11,972 | 16,473 | 28,445 |
| Rajaji Nagar | 11,753 | 15,569 | 27,322 |
| Konanakunte Cross | 11,602 | 14,997 | 26,599 |
Lowest Daily Footfall
| Station | Entry | Exit | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pantharapalya-Nayandahalli | 2,178 | 2,598 | 4,776 |
| Peenya Industry | 2,301 | 2,908 | 5,209 |
| Hopefarm Channasandra | 2,580 | 3,296 | 5,876 |
| Thalaghattapura | 2,834 | 3,617 | 6,451 |
| Kengeri | 5,090 | 3,970 | 9,060 |
| Peenya | 4,199 | 5,206 | 9,405 |
| Jnanabharathi | 4,954 | 5,741 | 10,695 |
| Deepanjali Nagar | 5,076 | 5,929 | 11,005 |
| Challaghatta | 5,896 | 5,946 | 11,842 |
| Doddakallasandra | 5,135 | 6,849 | 11,984 |
| Vajarahalli | 5,450 | 7,012 | 12,462 |
| Silk Institute | 6,656 | 7,409 | 13,065 |
| Mahakavi Kuvempu Road | 5,738 | 7,292 | 13,730 |
| Hoodi | 6,571 | 7,418 | 13,989 |
| Pattanagere | 6,448 | 7,656 | 14,104 |
| Lalbagh | 6,493 | 7,635 | 14,128 |
| Srirampura | 6,166 | 8,159 | 14,325 |
| Rajarajeshwari Nagar | 6,503 | 7,933 | 14,436 |
| Mysuru Road | 7,385 | 7,523 | 14,908 |
| Singayyanapalya | 7,088 | 8,456 | 15,544 |
| Goraguntepalya | 7,436 | 8,417 | 15,853 |
| Magadi Road | 7,632 | 9,297 | 16,929 |
| Rashtriya Vidyalaya Road | 7,017 | 10,116 | 17,133 |
| Whitefield (Kadugodi) | 8,121 | 9,213 | 17,334 |
| Garudacharpalya | 7,636 | 9,701 | 17,337 |
| Kengeri bus terminal | 8,207 | 9,769 | 17,976 |
| Seetharampalya | 8,151 | 10,010 | 18,161 |
Factors Behind the Surge in Ridership
Several factors contributed to the unprecedented ridership:
- Return to Office Work: With many tech professionals returning to their offices from Tuesdays to Thursdays, the demand for reliable transportation has surged.
- Weather Impact: Recent rains have exacerbated traffic issues, including poor road conditions and waterlogging, making the Metro a more dependable option.
AS Shankar, Executive Director of Operations and Maintenance at Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), stated, “The spike in ridership shows that the Metro is becoming Bengaluru’s lifeline. Key factors include the return of employees to offices and the reliability of the Bangalore Metro ridership during adverse weather conditions.”
Also read: Bengaluru Double Decker Flyover: Stations, Route and Latest news
Expert Opinions and Analysis
Urban mobility expert Ashwin Mahesh highlighted that despite the increase in ridership, there is a discrepancy between the projected and actual ridership figures. The Standing Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs (2021-2022) also noted that Bengaluru Metro’s actual average daily ridership (AADR) has consistently fallen short of the break-even point required.
Station Footfall Insights
Data shows that the busiest stations are in core city areas:
| Top Stations | Least Busy Stations |
|---|---|
| Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station | Pantharapalya-Nayandahalli |
| Benniganahalli | Peenya Industry |
| Indiranagar | Hopefarm Channasandra |
| MG Road | Thalaghattapura |
| Nagasandra | Kengeri |
| KR Pura | Peenya |
| Mantri Square Sampige Road | Jnanabharathi |
| Cubbon Park | Others |
| Banashankari | |
| Trinity | |
| Sir M Visvesvaraya Station | |
| Central College | |
| Jayanagar |
These stations, particularly in manufacturing zones like Peenya, show lower footfall due to preferences for cheaper transportation options.
Future Expansion Plans
The Karnataka government is advocating for extending the Metro network to the outskirts and constructing double-decker flyovers. However, experts argue that the Metro system is optimized for core city areas, and expanding the suburban rail network may be more effective for reaching the outskirts.
BMRCL has initiated feasibility studies for expanding Metro corridors, including a 50 km package with routes such as Challaghatta to Bidadi and Silk Institute to Harohalli. Another proposed package is a 60 km corridor linking Kalene Agrahara to Kadugodi Tree Park.
Challenges in Train Availability
BMRCL faces overcrowding issues on the Purple and Green Lines due to delays in receiving new trains from CRRC China. The network currently operates with 57 trains, while ideally, it should have one train per km to maintain a frequency of three to four minutes.
The prototype DTG (Distance-To-Go) trains are expected to arrive by the end of September 2024, with full deployment by June 2025. These new trains are crucial for improving service frequency and alleviating overcrowding.
Also read: Bangalore Metro Route: Gree, pink, yellow, Blue, Purple and Orange line, timings, stations 2024
Conclusion
Bengaluru Metro record ridership reflects its growing importance in the city’s transportation network. As the Metro expands, addressing overcrowding issues and aligning expansion plans with actual ridership needs will be essential for sustaining and enhancing the system’s effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions:
On August 6, 2024, Bengaluru Metro recorded its highest-ever ridership of 8.65 lakh passengers.
The Purple Line, from Challaghatta to Kadugodi (Whitefield), saw a ridership of 4.06 lakh, and the Green Line, from Nagasandra to Silk Institute, recorded 2.61 lakh passengers. The Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Station (Majestic interchange) had a footfall of 1.59 lakh.
The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) is planning to extend the Metro network to the outskirts of the city and is conducting feasibility studies for new corridors. This includes both 50 km and 60 km extension packages.
The Bengaluru Metro network currently spans 73 kilometers, including the Purple Line (42.17 km) and the Green Line (30 km).
The previous highest ridership was 8.25 lakh on August 15, 2022, which was influenced by a Congress rally and the Lalbagh flower show.
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