Metro revenue and passenger numbers show improvement: BMRCL losses decline

The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has seen a significant reduction in its losses for the 2023-24 fiscal year, with the deficit dropping to ₹341 crore from ₹476 crore in 2021-22. This improvement in financial performance is attributed to an increase in passenger numbers following the inauguration of the Purple Line, which now serves 7.9 lakh daily passengers across 68 metro stations. BMRCL has been working to boost revenue by leasing spaces for advertisements and food outlets within metro stations. Additionally, the corporation has announced plans to open child care centers at more stations to cater to mothers traveling with infants. So far, child care centers have been set up at Namma Prabhu Kempegowda Station, Yeshwantpura, Chickpet, and Nagasandra. Despite the rise in passenger numbers, BMRCL still faces an annual deficit due to operational costs, including employee salaries, electricity bills, debt repayments, and maintenance, amounting to ₹1212 crore, while generating ₹990 crore in revenue. However, the recent opening of the Purple Line has brought a substantial increase in both ridership and revenue. Daily ticket revenue has surged to ₹2 crore, with an average of 9.2 lakh passengers using the metro daily. In response to the demand for child care facilities, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar assured that more such centers would be established. BMRCL has also been focusing on improving safety and comfort by ensuring that each station operates with sufficient security personnel and maintenance staff.