Metro ridership soars, preferred by students

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Metro, that operates on the Andheri-Ghatkopar-Versova corridor, has gained popularity with traffic soaring by 15 thousand per day over a period of one month. Students especially prefer travelling by this mode of transport.
The Metro, launched in June 2014, runs along a 11.40-km corridor. During the first year of operation, its average ridership was pegged at 2.65 lakh.An MMOPL official said, “We now have a ridership of 2.8 lakh passengers per day. In fact, the jump is huge when compared with ridership in April-May when the figures dropped to 2.55 lakh due to summer vacation.”
The Metro was also seen as the preferred mode of transport when heavy rains lashed the city. Between June 15 and June 17, the Metro had an uninterrupted run unlike other forms of transport. According to MMOPL, “On June 15, ridership touched 2.85 lakh and soured to 2.87 lakh the following day. On June 17, the ridership crossed the 3 lakh mark.”
Every year during monsoon, an average of 10-15% BEST buses and several suburban trains get cancelled. Mumbai Metro however was able to run with 99% efficiency and no cancellations.
An official said, “The onset of monsoon and start of the academic year has led to further rise in ridership. Students travel not only to colleges but also to coaching classes.”
Naitik Pandya, a Jagruti Nagar resident, said, “My coaching class is close to Ghatkopar station. I do not want to get stuck in traffic and miss out on lectures. The Metro has been my preferred mode of transport ever since the academic year began.”
The monsoon also brings issues like poor frequency of buses and fleecing by autorickshaw drivers. DN nagar resident Kajal Rane said, “The frequency of buses is poor and I do not want to haggle with rickshaw drivers for change early in the morning every day.”
Dhaval Gajarai, a student in Vile Parle, said, “I travelled by the Metro from Ghatkopar during the last academic year too. More and more students are preferring to travel by the Metro. However, MMOPL should offer concession to students like suburban railways and BEST buses.”