Archive · 27 Jul 2026
Bhopal Metro Sees Increased Trips, Not More Passengers
The Bhopal Metro has increased the number of train trips from 14 to 50 daily, with trains running every 15 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes otherwise.
While this has led to a 10% rise in ridership, the number of individual passengers has not significantly increased.
Most of the rise is due to more return journeys by existing passengers.
The Metro is offering discounts and incentives to attract more commuters, but so far, these efforts have not drawn a significant number of new passengers.
The first train leaves at 9 am and the last at 7 pm, with peak hours between 9 am to 10.30 am and 5.30 pm to 7 pm.
Bhopal Metro increased trips from 14 to 50 daily with double-track operations.
Ridership rose by 10%, but mostly due to return journeys by existing passengers.
Average of 10 passengers per trip highlights the challenge of attracting new commuters.
Peak hour frequency reduced from 75 minutes to 15 minutes.
MPMRCL offers discounts and incentives to encourage Metro usage.
- Who
- Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL)
- What
- Increased number of train trips but low passenger footfall
- When
- Recent implementation of double-track operations
- Where
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Why
- Improved service frequency and incentives to encourage Metro usage
MPMRCL's Optimistic View
Passenger Apathy
Service Improvement
MPMRCL's Optimistic View
MPMRCL highlights a 10% rise in ridership and improved service frequency as a success.
Passenger Apathy
Passenger footfall remains low, with only about 10 passengers per trip on average.
Passenger Behavior
MPMRCL's Optimistic View
MPMRCL notes that 70% of commuters opted for return journeys, increasing ticketed journeys.
Passenger Apathy
The number of individual passengers remains largely unchanged, indicating a lack of new commuters.
Incentives and Promotions
MPMRCL's Optimistic View
MPMRCL is promoting digital ticketing and offering discounts to encourage Metro usage.
Passenger Apathy
Despite incentives, the Metro has not attracted a significant number of new commuters.
- Location
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Operating Authority
- Madhya Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MPMRCL)
- Number of Trips
- 50 trips daily
- Peak Hour Frequency
- Every 15 minutes
- Non-Peak Hour Frequency
- Every 30 minutes
- First Train Departure
- 9 am from Subhash Nagar, 9.30 am from AIIMS
- Last Train Departure
- 6.30 pm from Subhash Nagar, 7 pm from AIIMS
- Peak Hours
- 9 am to 10.30 am and 5.30 pm to 7 pm
- Incentives
- 5% discount on return tickets, 10% concession on group bookings, bonus credits on e-wallet recharges