New Delhi - Delhi Metro has set new records for passenger journeys 17 times in the past month, with the highest-ever single-day count of 77.48 lakh on August 20. This surpasses the previous record of 71.09 lakh set on February 13, according to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). The surge in ridership has led to an increase in train trips across the network.
"Delhi Metro, which registered its previous highest journey record on a single day on February 13, has achieved a unique feat by breaking that mark 17 times within a span of one month, from August 12 to September 12 this year," said Anuj Dayal, principal executive director of Corporate Communications at DMRC.
Out of the top 20 passenger journeys in the metro's history, 19 have been recorded in 2023. Remarkably, the second-highest number of journeys was recorded on September 9 at 77.16 lakh, with further records set on September 10, 11, and 12 at 75.71 lakh, 75.5 lakh, and 73.2 lakh, respectively.
The increased passenger demand has prompted the DMRC to add one extra train on all its lines, resulting in 84 additional train trips on Fridays and Saturdays. These extra trips will continue on weekdays if required, according to a Delhi Metro official.
The DMRC now measures passenger journeys, which account for the number of metro lines used by passengers to complete their trips. This replaced the earlier method of calculating passenger ridership, which focused on the total number of tickets sold or metro cards used to exit stations.
Anuj Dayal highlighted the importance of the metro’s reliability during Delhi's extended periods of rain and humidity, saying, "This trend further strengthens Delhi Metro's acceptability as the most dependable, reliable, punctual, and comfortable mode of public transport... ensuring they reach their destinations on time."
The network’s connectivity has been enhanced with 29 interchange stations, making it easier for commuters to travel across Delhi-NCR. DMRC has also introduced multiple digital platforms for ticket booking, including the DMRC Saarthi App, One Delhi App, WhatsApp, Paytm, and Amazon Pay, to reduce queues at ticket counters.
With growing passenger numbers and expanding services, Delhi Metro continues to be the most convenient and popular mode of transportation in the capital region.