Metro clocks ridership record, now at 32.3 lakh

NEW DELHI: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation witnessed highest single-day ridership on August 8 when 32.3 lakh passengers rode the utility, shattering it’s August 29-record

NEW DELHI: Delhi Metro Rail Corporation witnessed highest single-day ridership on August 8 when 32.3 lakh passengers rode the utility, shattering it’s August 29-record of 31.72 lakh users, sources said.

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Its average daily ridership has been 27 lakh this year. But so far in August, the figure has stayed above 30 lakh, said DMRC. Metro ridership increases by 5% on an average in August compared to the overall average daily ridership in the rest of the year That translates to 1.5 lakh additional passengers every day, including weekends.

Metro officials anticipate it will cross 33 lakhs after Independence Day. “New students have come to colleges and the pattern is similar to that of last few years. Because of rains, festivals and new college students, the ridership tends to increase in August,” said a DMRC official.

The Metro will run extra trips for the anticipated rush. “The increased trips will encourage passengers to use the system more during the weekends and also during the festival season of Raksha Bandhan, Janmashtami and Independence Day,” said a DMRC spokesperson.

All Saturdays in August will have 34 extra trains, and Sundays 95, said DMRC.

The Delhi Metro will run 106 extra train trips on August 17 and 18 for Rakshabandhan.

DMRC stations will also have additional personnel on the two days to manage the rush. More staffers will be deployed at the ticket counters as well.

METRO WILL RUN TODAY

The Delhi Metro said on Sunday it will operate normal services on Independence Day on Monday. Only parking lots at the stations will be shut from Sunday 6 am to Monday 2 pm because of security reasons.