Bengaluru’s metro system has witnessed a significant decline in ridership during the month of March, despite expectations of a surge following the launch of the full Purple Line and its extension.

With the inauguration of full Purple Line and its extension, the operational network of Bengaluru metro has expanded from 69.66 km to 73.81 km, with a total of 66 metro stations. Entire Purple Line from Challaghatta to Kadugodi (Whitefield), spans a distance of 43 km.

The average daily ridership for March stands at just 6.76 lakh per day, marking a notable decrease compared to previous months.

Data provided by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation (BMRCL) indicates that the overall ridership figure for March is 1.76 crore, with an average daily ridership of 705,917 in February, a record-breaking milestone for Namma Metro. This decline represents an average daily dip of 29,000 rides, according to The New Indian Express.

Despite expectations that soaring temperatures in March would drive more people to use metro services, the reality has been quite the opposite. The daily ridership figures from previous months, including January, December 2023, November, and October, have shown a consistent trend, with daily averages ranging from 6.40 lakh to 6.78 lakh rides.

Officials have expressed concern over the financial implications of this decline, noting a substantial revenue loss compared to previous months. The average ticket per rider, accounting for both long and short rides, amounts to Rs 23 to Rs 24. Consequently, the daily revenue loss is estimated to be around Rs 70,000 for March alone.

Several factors have contributed to this unexpected downturn, including disruptions in metro train services, ongoing school exams, and remote work arrangements for some professionals due to the prevailing water crisis.

While a decrease in ridership was anticipated in the upcoming months of April and May due to summer vacations and out-of-city travel, the current decline has caught officials off guard, especially as they had anticipated a boost in patronage following the launch of the Purple Line extension.

As the metro grapples with this unexpected downturn, officials are evaluating strategies to stimulate ridership and mitigate the financial impact in the months ahead.