BENGALURU: Days before the T20 day-night cricket match between India and South Africa last Sunday at M Chinnaswamy stadium , Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) announced that its night services would be extended till 1.30am.
Currently, Namma Metro is operational only between 5am and 11pm from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, trains are available only from 7am to 11pm. Many passengers said train services should be made available from 5am till at least midnight on all days and not just during cricket matches.
In fact, BMRCL used to run trains from 5am till midnight before Covid-19. With daily ridership now around 4.8 lakh and business activities resuming, there is a growing demand for Metro services till midnight. Many passengers arriving in long-distance buses and trains from other cities early morning wait at terminal stations, Kempegowda Majestic interchange and Yeswantpur till 7am on Sundays for Metro trains.
Experts say the city's nightlife depends on public transport availability. "When Namma Metro can run services till 1am during cricket matches, why stop them at 11pm on other days? Most people have to rely on their own vehicles or private cabs. Autorickshaws and cabs charge more than double the fare after 11pm because there are no Metro services and buses," said Kiran Kumar, a regular Metro passenger.
BMRCL chief public relation officer BL Yashavanth Chavan said: "We require time for maintenance of trains, tracks, stations and pillars. But we will consider extending timings based on demand and public requirement."
At present, 56km of Metro network is operational. Experts say less operational hours result in under-utilisation of the Metro network.
Sajjan Raj Mehta, a trade activist, said: "For the past two years, there has been no business due to the pandemic. Extending Metro timings will help traders too to commute at affordable rates. With efficient public transport system, the city's nightlife will improve."
BMTC service too is skeletal at night. A recent research report stated that 23% of BMTC buses don't operate after 6pm. Many hotels and restaurants are ready to operate 24x7, but limited transport options are a cause of concern. Although commercial establishments can stay open even till 1am, there are hardly any customers because of limited public transport options.
In January 2021, the labour department issued an order allowing establishments to stay open 24X7 in Bengaluru, but cops are yet to allow it. PC Rao, president, Bruhat Bengaluru Hotels' Association, said: "Metro should run till 1am. It's not safe for our staff as well as customers to commute by two-wheelers at night as they are more vulnerable to accidents and crime during those hours. Metro is faster, safer and environment-friendly."
Rao said cities like Dubai, Singapore and Mumbai have a 24X7 transport system. "Proper transport system at night is required for Bengaluru to earn the 'city that never sleeps' tag," he added.
BMRCL Employees' Union vice-president Suryanarayana Murthy, said: "BMRCL is not running till midnight because of low occupancy, but they could even run at 15-30 minutes frequency.. Workers, especially those travelling for early morning shifts or returning after working late at night, are the worst affected. And this is also because there are not enough buses."
