Kolkata Metro will introduce a Rs 10 surcharge on tickets for its night service train operating on the Dum Dum-New Garia corridor, starting December 10, an official announced. The surcharge will apply uniformly, regardless of the distance traveled.
The night service train, which runs in both directions at 10:40 p.m., has witnessed low occupancy rates, prompting this decision. The surcharge aims to offset the operational costs as the ridership for this service remains very poor, the official explained.
Kolkata Metro’s night service was introduced to provide late-night connectivity along one of its busiest routes. However, the lack of adequate passenger numbers has led to financial challenges in sustaining the service without additional charges.
The surcharge initiative is part of an effort to maintain the viability of the night train while ensuring the availability of this essential service for passengers. Regular daytime fares will remain unchanged.
Few days back, At Mahatma Gandhi Road station, Kolkata Metro engineers successfully replaced the steel third rail with energy-efficient aluminum on November 30, 2024. This upgrade is part of a modernization drive for the 40-year-old Blue Line. The Ministry of Railways sanctioned Rs. 113 crore in 2022-23 to replace 34 km of steel rail across the corridor. Contracts were awarded to the Indian subsidiary of REHAU Group, ensuring over 60% local sourcing. The aluminum third rail, already implemented in new Metro corridors, marks a shift toward energy efficiency and aligns with green energy goals.