Mumbai's metro network witnessed an extraordinary surge in passenger numbers as the city ushered in the New Year of 2026. To accommodate the massive influx of revellers, both the elevated Metro 1 and the underground Metro 3 lines operated special extended services well into the early hours of January 1st, setting new ridership benchmarks.
Metro 1 Shatters Daily Average
According to official sources, the Mumbai Metro 1 corridor recorded a staggering ridership of approximately 5 lakh (500,000) passengers on New Year's Eve. This figure represents a significant jump from its typical daily numbers. For context, the average ridership on most days during the final week of December 2025 stood at around 3.5 lakh. The decision to run additional services until 3 am on January 1st successfully catered to the festive rush, providing a safe and efficient travel option for thousands of Mumbaikars.
Underground Metro 3's Night-Time Success
The story was similarly positive for the underground Metro 3 line. An official confirmed that the line ran special overnight services to manage the holiday crowd. The ridership on December 31st until midnight was recorded at 1.51 lakh (151,000) passengers. Furthermore, the metro operated an additional 6,760 late-night services between 12 am and 5:55 am on New Year's Day.
Sources indicated that this turnout was notably higher than the average seen in the last week of December, when daily ridership had dipped to between 1 and 1.2 lakh. This dip is typically attributed to the vacation period when regular corporate commuters, who form a large part of Metro 3's daily ridership, are away. "It's a good response if one looks at the vacation week when corporate riders who mainly comprise the daily riders in underground Metro are missing," sources added, highlighting the success of the special holiday schedule.
A Boost for Mumbai's Night-Time Mobility
The impressive numbers from both metro lines underscore a growing public reliance on Mumbai's expanding metro network for night-time travel, especially during major celebrations. The proactive measure to extend services not only facilitated smoother and safer celebrations but also demonstrated the system's capacity to handle peak-hour demands beyond regular operating times. This successful experiment could pave the way for more frequent late-night services during future festivals and weekends, enhancing the city's overall night-time economy and connectivity.
