Kochi Metro introduces new student pass with increased rate
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Kochi: Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has introduced a new student pass system, with higher fares, despite mounting pressure from student organizations and educational institutions, demanding a return to the earlier system.
The new system, which will come into effect on July 1, offers a 30-day travel package for Rs 1,100. The pass provides 50 trips between any two stations and a 33% discount on the average/mean trip fare. The cost for a three-month package is Rs 3,000.
The earlier Vidya-45 pass allowed 50 trips for Rs 495 with a validity of 45 days. Additionally, there were unlimited travel passes — Vidya-1 priced at Rs 50 for one day and Vidya-30 at Rs 900 for a month.
These passes were withdrawn at the beginning of this year, sparking protests.
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"With an average/mean trip cost of Rs 33, students would normally spend Rs 1,650 for 50 trips. Our new student pass at Rs 1,100 provides a substantial saving of Rs 550, making
Kochi Metro
one of the most student-friendly metros in India," said KMRL managing director Loknath Behera.
According to KMRL authorities, the new student pass will be available for purchase at all Kochi Metro stations from July 1.
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Valid student identification should be produced during purchase. Students may be required to show ID during travel to deter misuse, they said. The pass is non-transferable and will be available for students up to the age of 30, informed KMRL.
Naveen Mathew, a member of the KSU Cochin University unit, said the hike may badly affect the students who avail the offer. "The old pass system was beneficial to many. The increased rate may invite protest," he said.
Ebencer Chullikkad of the Kochi Metro Passengers Association also demanded KMRL reinstate the Vidya-45 pass system. "Vidya-45 offered a discount of Rs 10 per trip and it has now increased to Rs 22, which cannot be agreed upon," he said.
Kochi Metro authorities said its new pass system offers a higher discount than Nagpur (30%), Pune (30%) and Hyderabad (10%). They said the widespread misuse of student passes, which drastically affected revenue, forced KMRL to increase student pass rates. "Vidya-45 was introduced as a promotional scheme after Covid, to bring back passengers to metro trains. We can't continue such a scheme forever, incurring a huge loss in farebox revenue," said a KMRL official.
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