Nagpur: Post introduction of trains at 10 minutes interval, Nagpur’s Mazi Metro recorded a sharp increase in footfalls, logging 93,103 on the first day of reopening of schools in the city. This marked the second time this year that the figure was reached, making it the second highest footfall in the year after February.
The decision to reduce frequency timings of Nagpur Metro from 15 to 10 minutes paid rich dividends as students in particular latched onto the opportunity. The crossing of 90,000 ridership mark occurred post opening of CBSE schools, on June 24, Monday. Since morning queues of students were seen across the metro network that hinted at enhanced ridership figures. The increase of rider base was phenomenal 42 percent over last Monday, said the Metro release.
The figures are expected to further increase when the State Board schools open on July 1. In fact, the ridership figures may even touch the one lakh mark the day schools are reopened and after the admission process is over and colleges are fully functional.
It may be recalled that starting June 24, Nagpur Metro has increased train frequency by 10 minutes for 12 hours between 8 am and 8 pm. The 10-minute frequency has been reduced from the existing rate of 15 minutes. Metro services are available from 6 am to 10 pm. Nagpur Metro recently rationalised its fare structure, which led to 33 % reduction in train fare. Add 30%discount on Maha Card to students, the cumulative fare for school children and those studying in colleges, stands at around 50% of the fare in the pre-rationalisation days.
Before this, in February, the ridership had touched 93,818, however, it was due to the Gond-Gowari community having blocked the streets for the entire day leading to the citizens taking to the city Metro.
Traditionally, there is a noticeable decline in Metro ridership during the school and college summer vacations, given that over 30% of the riders are students. However, this year, the Metro defied the usual trend. Not only did it manage to maintain ridership during the vacation months, but it also saw an increase in footfall, said Akhilesh Halve, Senior Deputy General Manager, Corporate Communication, Maha Metro.
Surprisingly, the Metro has consistently maintained a monthly footfall above 20 lakh throughout the year up to June 2024. In contrast, it had struggled to reach the 20 lakh mark till June 2023.
