3-coach Bhopal Metro averages only 30 passengers:1 month of commercial operations completed, ridership far below expectations; raising concerns about metro usage

The commercial run of the metro in Bhopal has completed 1 month. On December 20, CM Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar inaugurated the metro. The next day, December 21, the metro started running for the general public, but the results were not as expected given the enthusiasm with which it was launched. Due to lack of passengers, not only were the timings changed within 14 days, but the number of trips was also reduced. On the other hand, questions have also been raised about its speed. However, a good thing is the installation of the fare collection system. The system has started being installed at all 8 stations. Within one month, the Bhopal Metro has seen many ups and downs. Despite all efforts, the metro is not getting passengers. The situation is such that despite running 13 trips a day, not even 300 passengers are able to board. This means, in a 3-coach metro, an average of only 30 passengers are boarding per trip. Metro Corporation officials did not anticipate such a low number. However, it is expected that this number will increase in the coming days. Officials say that a pass facility will also be introduced in the future. This will benefit daily commuters. Additionally, ticket discounts may also be offered for students and senior citizens. Trips reduced in just 14 days, yet the number decreased further
The commercial run of the metro in Indore was started on May 31, 2025. On the very first day, about 26 thousand passengers rode the metro there. Although traveling by metro in Indore was free for the first 7 days, this was not done in Bhopal. From the very first day, people had to buy tickets. Despite this, a total of 6568 passengers rode on the first day, and the metro received 2 lakh 5 thousand 350 rupees in exchange for tickets. After this, the number of passengers continued to decrease. On December 22, 23, and 28, the number of passengers was more than 2 thousand. Meanwhile, on December 25, due to the Christmas holiday, 4264 people rode the metro. On December 30, the lowest number of passengers, 967, rode the metro. On the first day of the New Year, 2023 passengers, and on the second day, 1065 passengers traveled. Due to the low number of passengers, both the metro’s timing and trips were changed. The new schedule came into effect from January 3. The Metro Corporation not only changed the timing but also reduced the number of trips. Now, the metro starts from AIIMS station at 12 PM instead of 9 AM, while the last metro departs from here at 7:30 PM. Timing – Even after reducing trips, the number did not increase
Even after reducing the train’s timing and trips, the number of passengers has not increased. The number is higher only on weekends. On other days, it remains between 300 and 400. Looking at the numbers for the last 8 days (January 13 to 20), approximately 3350 passengers traveled. On January 13, 15, and 19, the number was less than 300. On January 15, only 275 passengers boarded. Whereas, on January 18, being a Sunday, this number reached close to 1 thousand. Travel from Subhash Nagar to AIIMS – Timetable Stations: Subhash Nagar – KV – DB Mall – MP Nagar – RKMP – DRM – Alkapuri – AIIMS Difficult to even cover expenses
The rent collected is not enough to cover the expenses of running the metro. According to information, an average of 10 thousand rupees is received daily as rent, while the daily expense is around 1 lakh rupees. However, metro management says that in the future, ATMs, food zones, kids zones, etc., will be operated at the stations. This will generate income for the Metro Corporation. Now this is the timing