KOCHI (Metro Rail News): Since its inauguration in 2017, the Kochi Metro has served over five million passengers. According to a KMRL spokesman, the total number of passengers who have used the service has reached 5.12 crore. During these years, 40,000 to 50,000 passengers used the facilities on average.
Before the pandemic, it was over 65,000. Due to pandemic-induced lockdowns, the Kochi Metro was closed for more than 160 days in 2020 and more than 50 days in 2021. It never regained its previous footfall after the lockdown.
The average number of customers declined to 18,361 in 2020. However, after the second shutdown, it showed a minor recovery in 2021, with an average of 26,043 daily commuters. The Metro, which is infamous for losing money, has recently implemented a number of sops.
Some passengers are requesting a rate reduction. According to the Metro’s annual report, it lost Rs 334.41 crores in 2020-21. In 2019-20, it was Rs 310.82 crores. The income of the metro train, on the other hand, is increasing. It made Rs 167.46 crores in 2020-21, compared to Rs 134.95 crores in 2019-20.
