Bangalore Metro posts Rs41 lakh profit in first year

Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) has posted an annual profit of `41 lakh from its Namma Metro operation between MG Road and Baiyappanahalli. Over 80 lakh people have travelled in it after commercial operations began from October 20, 2011.

BMRCL managing director, N Sivasailam said that Bangaloreans have responded well to Namma Metro services. He said that on weekdays 17,000 to 19,000 commuters travel on Namma Metro and during weekends it goes up to 21,000-24,000.

“Reach 1 is a short distance service and we have received good response. Though the Reach 1 connected one residential area, people are travelling in good numbers,” Sivasailam said.
On being asked whether BMRCL had plans to extend the operations till 11 pm, the official said that as occupancy rate is very low after 9 pm, there is no plan to extend the trips till 11pm. He said that existing system of operation will continue in coming days too.

On the day of Namma Metro launch, over 39,000 passengers had travelled in 45 trips till 11 pm. On October 23,2011 over 80 lakh passengers traveled in a single day. BMRCL had sold 50,000 contact-less smart cards. Sixty Eight per cent of travellers are using smart tokens and 32% smart cards. On an average 4,764 car users and 5,721 two-wheelers are using parking facility at Baiyappanahalli and Swami Vivekananda Road stations per day.

Honouring freedom fighters
To mark occasion of the completion of one year, BMRCL has decided to honour freedom fighters. BMRCL will hold a programme at Baiyapannahalli station on October 20 to honour freedom fighters. Gandhi Smarakah Nidhi, an NGO, will also join hands with BMRCL.