On Day 1 of service resumption, Namma Metro hit by low footfall

BENGALURU: Low passenger footfall marked the resumption of Namma Metro services on the Purple Line (Byappanahalli to Mysuru Road) on Monday. Trains chugged again after a gap of 169 days following the Covid-19 induced lockdown, but most coaches were empty.
The first trains from Byappanahalli and Mysuru Road departed simultaneously at 8am. Thereafter, trains operated at a frequency of five minutes. BMRCL officials said a total 3,770 passengers travelled in 91 round trips between 8am-11am and 4.30pm-7.30pm. Of this 1,975 passengers travelled during morning hours. However, a six-car train alone can carry up to 2,002 passengers. BMRCL earned passenger revenue of Rs 1.2 lakh.
With most office-goers working from home – the Purple Line is in the IT corridor – and educational institutions shut, major stations including Byappanahalli, MG Road, Kempegowda Interchange and Mysuru Road saw thin crowds. While fear of catching the virus has been a turn off, another reason for the poor patronage was allowing only smartcard users and online recharge. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited decided not to issue tokens for passengers and only those with Metro cards are allowed.
State health minister B Sriramulu travelled in the Metro between Vidhana Soudha and Majestic and urged passengers not to be scared to travel by Metro, while insisting, “All passengers should follow the rules to ensure safety.” He interacted with passengers and also evaluated the safety preparedness.
Donning face shields, gloves, masks and PPE, security personnel at stations were tasked with the additional job of making announcements in Kannada, encouraging passengers to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
Face masks are mandatory to enter stations. Only a limited number of entry/exit gates were kept open. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited has installed handsfree thermal scanners at several stations. There was no frisking, but baggage was screened.
Smartcards could be flashed near the gate reader from a distance of about 3cm. Reflective tape was stuck on the floor and inside trains to mark social distancing. Only alternate seats on trains were occupied. BMRCL plans to limit the number of passengers to 400 per train, but most trains on Monday ran largely empty.
Meanwhile, operations on the Green Line will resume on Wednesday. BMRCL is currently running train services between 8am-11am and 4.30pm-7.30pm. However, trains will function from 7am to 9pm on both lines from Friday.