MUMBAI: The average per day ridership has touched 50,000 on Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) Metro I corridor, forcing authorities to extend service hours by 40 minutes in the morning and 45 in the evening. Mumbai Metro One resumed on October 19 after almost seven months since lockdown on March 22. Initially, ridership was 13,000 a day.
A Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) official said, “From Monday we will extend operating hours for commuter convenience. The first train from Versova will be at 7.50am and from Ghatkopar at 8.15am. Similarly, the last train from Ghatkopar will be at 9.15pm and from Versova at 8.50pm. Earlier, services were from 8.30am to 8.30pm.” MMOPL said stations will open 15 minutes before departure of the first train.
Before lockdown, MMOPL ran around 400 services carrying four lakh passengers on weekdays. Metro trains operated from 6.30am to 11.30pm. An average of 1,500 passengers used to travel per train.
At present, there are 200 services at a frequency of eight minutes. As per Covid-19 norms, only 300 passengers are permitted in each train. MMOPL had hoped to carry 60,000 people. Maharashtra government has permitted only 30% workforce in private offices. Moreover, private sector employees cannot travel in local trains.
The state is looking at a date for resumption next year.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/service-hours-for-mumbai-metro-1-extended-by-40-45-minutes/articleshow/79691283.cms
