On Friday, Delhi Metro set a new record with nearly 81.9 lakh passenger journeys, surpassing the previous high of 78.7 lakh on November 18. The spike coincided with the Rakshabandhan rush, as commuters across Delhi-NCR opted for the metro to avoid traffic congestion and weather-related delays.
Extra Services to Meet Festive Demand
To handle the festive surge, DMRC ran 92 additional trips on August 8 and 455 extra trips on August 9, ensuring smoother travel for passengers. A DMRC official noted that passenger numbers typically increase around Rakshabandhan, with last year’s record of 77.5 lakh passenger journeys also recorded just after the festival.
Seasonal Preference for Metro Travel
The rainy season has historically boosted Delhi Metro ridership. Many commuters prefer the metro during monsoon months to avoid waterlogging, roadblocks, and traffic delays. Last year, from August 12 to September 12, DMRC broke its passenger journey record 17 times within a single month, underscoring its reliability in challenging weather.
Understanding Passenger Journeys
DMRC defines a passenger journey as the number of metro lines a passenger uses to complete their trip. This figure is calculated based on ticket sales and metro card usage, recorded when commuters exit stations. Since 2019, DMRC has reported passenger journeys instead of overall ridership to better capture travel patterns.
Metro’s Role in Seamless Connectivity
Anuj Dayal, principal executive director of corporate communications at DMRC, highlighted the metro’s role as a dependable, punctual, and comfortable mode of public transport, particularly in extreme weather. The network’s 29 interchange stations provide extensive interconnectivity, enabling access to almost every part of Delhi-NCR with minimal transfers.
Digital Ticketing for Commuter Convenience
DMRC has expanded its ticketing options to include the DMRC Saarthi App, One Delhi App, WhatsApp, Paytm, and Amazon Pay. These digital platforms allow passengers to purchase tickets in advance, reducing queues at ticket counters and speeding up entry during peak hours.
