Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Indore Metro Carries Few Passengers, Fare Revenue Trails Electricity Costs
Indore’s Metro has been running for a month.
About 75,000 passenger trips were made during that time.
The trains can carry around 300 people, but an average trip had about 24 passengers.
That means most spaces were empty.
Ticket money came to nearly Rs 30 lakh, while electricity cost more than Rs 35 lakh.
The Metro also has other costs, such as staffing and maintenance.
Some passengers say parking and connections are limited and fares feel high.
Officials say they are planning monthly passes, and digital-wallet recharges already offer discounts.
In its first 30 days of commercial service, the Indore Metro recorded about 75,000 passenger journeys and nearly Rs 30 lakh in fare revenue.
Electricity costs exceeded Rs 35 lakh, more than the fare revenue; additional staff and maintenance expenses could take operating costs above Rs 50 lakh.
With around 24 passengers per one-way train movement on average, trains ran at about 8% of their 300-passenger capacity.
Ridership averaged about 2,500 per day, with reported levels ranging from around 2,000 on regular days to 5,000 on holidays and 6,000 during the opening phase.
Reported challenges include limited parking and connectivity and fares passengers consider high; officials are planning monthly passes and cite discounts on digital-wallet recharges.
- Who
- Indore Metro and its passengers; officials are planning a monthly pass scheme.
- What
- The Metro recorded about 75,000 passenger journeys in its first 30 days, with low average occupancy and fare revenue below electricity costs.
- When
- During the first 30 days of commercial operations; service up to Malviya Nagar began on September 6.
- Where
- The operating 17-km elevated corridor in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
- Why
- The report describes low ridership and revenue alongside challenges including connectivity, limited parking, and fares passengers consider high.
Passenger concerns
Officials’ response
Affordability and access
Passenger concerns
Passengers reportedly consider fares high for the limited network, and the report notes challenges with connectivity and parking availability.
Officials’ response
Officials say they are planning a monthly pass scheme and that digital-wallet recharges already provide discount benefits.
- Passenger journeys in 30 days
- About 75,000
- Average daily ridership
- About 2,500
- Fare revenue
- Nearly Rs 30 lakh in 30 days
- Electricity expenditure
- More than Rs 35 lakh
- Train capacity and average occupancy
- About 300 passengers per train; about 24 per one-way movement
- Capacity utilisation
- About 8%
- Operating corridor
- 17-km elevated corridor