Daily ridership on Airport Metro goes up to 15,000

After six months of being thrown open for commuters, the Delhi Airport Metro Express has managed to register a daily footfall of 15,000 passengers. This despite the fact that it was expected to cater to 25,000 to 30,000 commuters per day within two months of its inception.

After six months of being thrown open for commuters, the Delhi Airport Metro Express has managed to register a daily footfall of 15,000 passengers. This despite the fact that it was expected to cater to 25,000 to 30,000 commuters per day within two months of its inception.

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Reliance Infrastructure, the concessionaire company, has however, termed this as a ‘constant ridership growth’.

“Starting with a footfall of 4,000 commuters, the ridership on the Airport Metro has grown four folds in the last six months and crossed the 15,000 mark for the first time, since it became operational on February 23,” a company spokesperson said.

“As the entire network became operational recently and passenger and baggage check in facilities were just introduced at some stations, the showcase line is expected to attract commuters in a big way,” sources said.

Major commuter conveniences, which were launched in the last couple of months, leading to a rise in the footfall include airline check-in facilities at the New Delhi and Shivaji Stadium, opening of Dhaula Kuan and Aerocity Stations, increase in train frequency to 15 minutes, increase in operating time to 18 hours (5am to 11pm).

“Reliance Airport Metro Express is gaining popularity among both local Delhiites and airport bound travellers that has reflected in the growth in ridership. Currently 70% of the commuters are airport bound, while 30% are local Delhiites,” said Lalit Jalan, CEO Reliance Infrastructure.