Kochi ushered in the New Year with a historic surge in public transport usage, as the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) network recorded an unprecedented number of passenger journeys on January 1st. The integrated system, comprising the Metro rail, electric feeder buses, and the Water Metro, facilitated a staggering 1,61,683 passenger trips, marking the highest single-day ridership since its inception.
A Collective Effort Behind the Record Numbers
KMRL played a pivotal role in managing the massive festive crowds across the city, collaborating closely with the district administration and police. The Metro rail service itself was the biggest contributor, transporting 1,39,766 passengers on trains that ran extended services until 2 am. The electric feeder bus service, which operated until 4 am, also set a new record by carrying 6,817 passengers. This seamless connectivity was further boosted by additional bus services arranged for passengers arriving at Vypeen from Fort Kochi, helping them reach Metro stations and key locations like Ernakulam Junction railway station.
KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera attributed this remarkable achievement to a collective effort. "The achievement was the result of collective efforts by all stakeholders," Behera stated. He highlighted that factors like punctual operations, cleanliness, courteous staff behaviour, passenger cooperation, and extensive publicity through both mainstream and social media significantly drove the record numbers.
Water Metro and SWTD Join the Festive Rush
The eco-friendly Water Metro witnessed exceptionally heavy patronage during the celebrations. Operating on its Mattancherry-High Court and Vypeen-High Court routes until 5:10 am, it recorded its highest-ever New Year ridership, with approximately 15,000 passengers opting for the scenic waterway service.
Similarly, the State Water Transport Department (SWTD) conducted special services from midnight on Thursday to cater to returning revellers. The department earned a record single-day collection of Rs 2.5 lakh, with nearly Rs 1.5 lakh coming from the additional services alone. "A heavy rush was witnessed since Wednesday afternoon and we operated 25 additional services till 7pm," said Shanavas Khan, Principal Station Master (Ernakulam).
Steady Growth and Financial Milestone
The New Year's Day record is part of a consistent upward trend for Kochi Metro. Since beginning operations in 2017, the system has carried over 17.52 crore passengers. The current year saw a ridership of 3,65,86,194, with December alone accounting for 32,68,063 passengers. Adding to the day's achievements, Kochi Metro also registered its highest-ever daily revenue of Rs 44,67,688 on Wednesday, underscoring the growing public reliance on integrated urban transport.
This record-breaking day demonstrates the successful model of Kochi's multi-modal transport network. By extending hours, ensuring smooth connectivity between different modes, and maintaining high service standards, KMRL has set a new benchmark for urban mobility in India, proving that efficient public transport can effectively manage massive city-wide events.
