Kolkata Metro started running a pair of trains on its Blue Line at 11 pm. This year on 24th May. One started from Dumdum and the other started from Kavi Subhash station.
The decision was taken after a PIL was filed in the Calcutta High Court, seeking direction to metro authorities to run trains at 11 pm. The High Court did not pass any directions but urged the Metro to look into the matter.
"Though these services were started to cater to the needs of large number of people at night, it has been observed that they are not being patronized by passengers. On an average, only 300 passengers travel in each train during night time. It was happening at 11 pm between Dum Dum and Kavi Subhash.
"To run this service, the Metro Railways is having to spend heavily (Rs 50,000 per day as well as around Rs 2.7 lakh as operating costs), but the revenue earnings from these two trains have been disappointing (only Rs 6,000 Rupees).
"It has also been observed that at many stations only 1-2 tokens are being sold, while at all stations one counter has to remain open even after 11 pm," Metro Railways CPRO Kaushik Mitra said.
Night service will start at 10.40 pm from Monday (June 24). From any end. This service will be available during working days. No ticket counter will be open for issuing tokens or smart cards for late night service. Passengers can purchase tokens from ASCRM machines installed at all stations using UPI payment mode. Those who have smart cards can also avail this service.
Commuters said the biggest problem in availing the Metro late at night is the lack of last mile connectivity from the station nearest to their homes. While the metro accepted the challenge, the road transport operators refused to extend their service timings.
The decision was taken after a PIL was filed in the Calcutta High Court, seeking direction to metro authorities to run trains at 11 pm. The High Court did not pass any directions but urged the Metro to look into the matter.
"Though these services were started to cater to the needs of large number of people at night, it has been observed that they are not being patronized by passengers. On an average, only 300 passengers travel in each train during night time. It was happening at 11 pm between Dum Dum and Kavi Subhash.
"To run this service, the Metro Railways is having to spend heavily (Rs 50,000 per day as well as around Rs 2.7 lakh as operating costs), but the revenue earnings from these two trains have been disappointing (only Rs 6,000 Rupees).
"It has also been observed that at many stations only 1-2 tokens are being sold, while at all stations one counter has to remain open even after 11 pm," Metro Railways CPRO Kaushik Mitra said.
Night service will start at 10.40 pm from Monday (June 24). From any end. This service will be available during working days. No ticket counter will be open for issuing tokens or smart cards for late night service. Passengers can purchase tokens from ASCRM machines installed at all stations using UPI payment mode. Those who have smart cards can also avail this service.
Commuters said the biggest problem in availing the Metro late at night is the lack of last mile connectivity from the station nearest to their homes. While the metro accepted the challenge, the road transport operators refused to extend their service timings.
