The Namo Bharat high-speed trains, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 20 last year, have maintained an average daily ridership of approximately 3,000 passengers since their public launch on October 21, according to a report by the Indian Express.
The 17-km-long priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor currently has five operational stations include Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and Duhai Depot. The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) revealed that over 2.79 lakh passengers have utilised India’s inaugural rapid rail service.
Majority of passengers travel between Sahibabad and Duhai
An official from the NCRTC noted that the majority of current passengers travel between Sahibabad and Duhai or vice versa. The true ridership scenario will become apparent with the operationalisation of the next corridor stage, extending an additional 25 km beyond the priority section up to Meerut South.
The official also clarified that the current operational stretch was a test for the complete corridor and is a relatively short section, primarily used by school or college-going students.
Namo Bharat month-wise ridership, revenue generated
Data indicates that since the public opening on October 21, a total of 63,582 passengers used the service in that month alone. In November 2023, 71,124 passengers traveled on the train, and in December 2023 and till January 23, 2024, the figures were 72,335 and 72,382 passengers, respectively. The average daily ridership during these 95 days is calculated to be 2,941 passengers.
Meanwhile, the NCRTC, a joint venture of the Government of India and state governments overseeing the RRTS projects, has generated approximately Rs 83.98 lakh from ticket sales. The income for October, November, and December was Rs 27.05 lakh, Rs 23.77 lakh, and Rs 20.03 lakh, respectively, with Rs 13.12 lakh earned from tickets between January 1-23.
NCRTC aims for 8 lakh daily passengers
The NCRTC’s feasibility report predicts a daily passenger footfall of around 8 lakh once the complete 82-km-long corridor from Delhi’s Sarai Kale Khan to Modipuram in Meerut becomes operational. The Line up to Meerut South is expected to be operational by March end, with ongoing talks for last-mile connectivity with UPSRTC (Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation).
The single journey fare for the standard class ranges from Rs 20 to Rs 50, while the premium class fare is between Rs 40 and Rs 100. The entire 14-station corridor, aimed to be operational by June 2025, is anticipated to reduce travel time between Delhi and Meerut to less than an hour, with a total development cost of Rs 30,274 crore.