Despite New Lines, Delhi Metro Ridership Falls Below DMRC Forecast

Between 2017 and 2019, eight new sections, like the Magenta and Pink Line, were launched and 271 stations added.

Delhi Metro

(Photo: The Quint)

An RTI accessed by The Indian Express in 2017 revealed that the average daily number of passengers using the Delhi Metro fell by more than 3 lakhs after fares were hiked at that time. The loss of riders have been compensated by the new lines launched post 2017, but they still do not total Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s actual ridership projections.

In 2017, the metro had five corridors and fares were increased after eight years, according to a report by The Indian Express. Between 2017 and 2019, eight new sections, such as the 38 km Magenta and 58 km Pink Line, were launched and 271 stations added.

In May 2017, metro was carrying 26.07 lakh people everyday. In the first two months of 2019, almost two years after the hike, the same lines recorded a decline in average daily ridership to 23 lakh.

Falling Average Metro Ridership Through the Years

Post the 2017 October hike, daily ridership struggled to touch 24 lakh even once. The closest it came was in August 2018, The Indian Express reported, when ridership was 23.91 lakh. In 2018-19, it dropped further to 22.85 lakh.

So for the old corridors, in January and February of 2019, ridership was 23.16 lakh and 23.35 lakh people respectively, reported The Indian Express.

When the new Lines (Pink and Magenta) were counted in the toll, the average daily ridership in 2019 rose to 26 lakh. This is wildly below the DMRC projections of around 40 lakh after the Phase III corridors launch.

Currently, the metro ticket costs Rs 10 up to 2 km; Rs 20 for 2-5 km; Rs 30 for 5-12 km; Rs 40 for 12-21 km, Rs 50 for 21-32 km; and Rs 60 for journeys beyond 32 km.

(With inputs from The Indian Express)