Latest news with #NagpurMetro
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
46% Metro Commuters Spend Up To 30 Mins Just To Reach Station: Survey
1 2 Nagpur: Around 46.3% of Nagpur Metro's passengers spend between 10 and 30 minutes or more simply to reach a station before even boarding the train, a RITES primary survey revealed. The data has also been used for the city's Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) shows how last-mile connectivity continues to remain a major hurdle for the project. While ridership numbers speak of acceptance, the time taken to access stations paints a different picture. Around 33% of passengers spend 6–10 minutes reaching their nearest station, while 20.4% manage it within 5 minutes. A significant 15.9% spend 11–15 minutes, and nearly 28.6% take as long as 15–30 minutes. Nearly 2% of commuters take over 30 minutes. Altogether, about 46% of total passengers invest up to half an hour merely to get to a station. The survey findings also reveal that a majority, 59.3%, of passengers rely on the Metro for work and business trips, underlining its role as a daily transport backbone for the city's working population. Students account for 13.7% of the ridership, while 26.9% travel for other purposes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The 5 Books Warren Buffett Recommends You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In terms of frequency, the system has clearly emerged as a daily mode of travel, as 91.1% of passengers use the metro every day. The rest — barely 3.2% weekly, 2.9% monthly, and 2.9% occasionally. The survey also notes that cost is not a barrier for most commuters. A massive 86.7% of passengers spend less than Rs10 to reach their Metro station, while just 0.6% spend over Rs50. This makes it clear that the real challenge is not affordability but accessibility. Experts suggest that unless Nagpur Metro addresses the bottlenecks of feeder services, pedestrian access, and parking facilities, the issue of prolonged station access time will continue to dampen its efficiency. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nagpur metro phase 2 to shift night time maintenance to new terminal stations
Nagpur: Nagpur Metro 's Phase 2 will not just expand the network but also change the way it is maintained every night. The stabilising lines and pit lines, currently located at Phase 1 terminal stations, will be shifted to the new endpoints under Phase 2, confirmed a senior MahaMetro official. This shift, officials said, will streamline operations, cut idle travel time, and help trains begin their daily service directly from the city's outermost points. Under the plan, the last stations at Kanhan, Transport Nagar, Butibori MIDC-ESR, and Hingna will be equipped with these facilities. This means that the existing Phase 1 terminals, which are at Khapri, Automotive Square, Prajapati Nagar, and Lokmanya Nagar, will no longer function as overnight hubs for regular upkeep once the second phase is commissioned. The stabilising line is used to park trains after daily service so they can cool down, undergo routine checks, and be readied for the next day, while the pit line has inspection pits that allow technicians to check undercarriages, clean, and carry out minor repairs. Officials clarified that the two existing depots — in Mihan and Hingna — will continue to handle the full operational load of both phases. No new depots are being planned, as heavy repairs and overhauls will still be carried out at the existing sites. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like NRIs Living In Ukraine Are Eligible For INR 2 Lakh Monthly Pension. Invest 18K/Month Get Offer Undo "Trains requiring major work will use the same connecting lines as they do now to reach depots, avoiding the need for costly expansion. However, shifting depots would require significant land and funds, which is unnecessary given the current capacity," the official added. For Phase 2, MahaMetro will operate three-car trains in a DMC–TC–DMC configuration, each 21.94 metres long and 2.9 metres wide. A DMC–TC–DMC metro train has a powered coach with a driver's cab at each end (DMC) and an unpowered trailer coach (TC) in the middle, allowing it to run in either direction without turning around. Each train will have a total capacity of 970 passengers, including 136 seated and 834 standing. The total project cost for Phase 2 is estimated at ₹6,708 crore. Another major project under consideration is Metro Phase 3, which will connect the Sitabuldi interchange to Koradi. Public and stakeholder suggestions for this stretch are currently being accepted. Only after incorporating the feedback and finalising the Detailed Project Report (DPR) will the exact route and station details be officially announced. Once Phase 2 becomes operational, Nagpur Metro's network will extend from Kanhan in the north to Butibori MIDC in the south, and from Transport Nagar in the east to Hingna in the west. Officials said the relocation of stabilising and pit lines to these terminal stations will allow trains to be positioned closer to starting points, improving punctuality and reducing delays, particularly for early-morning and late-night services. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
06-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
42k Maha Card Rides in a Day: Digital Surge Ahead of Metro's Open-Loop Upgrade
Nagpur: MahaMetro's digital push is paying off, with a record-breaking 42,257 commuters using Maha Cards on August 5 — the highest single-day usage since the system was launched in 2019. The number accounted for 39% of Nagpur Metro 's daily ridership, which stood at 1.07 lakh that day. Digital ticketing as a whole also hit a new milestone, with 56% of commuters opting for cashless travel via Maha Cards, QR codes, and mobile apps. Officials said the spike signals a major behavioural shift among daily riders towards faster, more convenient travel. The Maha Card, a co-branded contactless smart card developed in partnership with State Bank of India, has been the backbone of Nagpur Metro's cashless journey since Phase 1. Currently, over 1.10 lakh passengers hold active Maha Cards, with an average of two new cards issued daily per station. Commuters benefit from fare concessions of 10% for regular passengers and 30% for students, making it a preferred option. The latest surge follows Maha Metro's recent promotional drive launched on July 25, offering free Maha Cards with a Rs200 recharge. The campaign has already led to the distribution of more than 1,300 new cards. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo This record comes at a time the Maha Card is set to evolve. As part of Phase 2 of the Nagpur Metro project, Maha Metro is preparing to shift to a Rs154 crore Open Loop Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system. Unlike the current closed-loop Maha Card, which works only within the Nagpur Metro network, the upcoming system will support National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC). The NCMC system will allow seamless, interoperable travel across metros, buses, and other public transport systems in India. EMV-based and bank-issued, these cards will function like debit cards, enabling commuters to use a single card across cities and modes of transport. Maha Metro has already floated a tender for the supply, installation, and commissioning of the new system, which also includes QR code-based ticketing and a long-term maintenance contract. Importantly, officials said existing AFC gates installed in Phase 1 stations won't require replacement; only a software upgrade will be needed to support the new format. "Even the existing Maha Cards may continue after the rollout of the NCMC cards. However, the open-loop card system is still in its early stages, so it's too soon to say exactly how it will work out. If possible, we'll integrate the new system by upgrading the existing AFC infrastructure to support both old and new cards. Otherwise, we may have to phase out the old cards and issue new ones to commuters. However, nothing is final at this point, as the entire process is still at a preliminary stage," said a Maha Metro official. As Maha Card usage peaks, the city's metro commuters are already riding the wave of digital convenience — and the next upgrade promises to take that a step further, far beyond city limits.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nagpur Metro records 10cr riders since its launch in 2019
1 2 Nagpur: The Nagpur Metro has crossed a cumulative ridership of 10 crore, according to figures released by Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MahaMetro). The system, which began commercial operations in March 2019, has seen consistent growth in passenger numbers over six years. The corporation attributes the rise in usage to the full rollout of Phase-I, completed in December 2022, and to specific policies targeting students. As per official data, students now comprise 20% of total riders. Incentives include a 30% fare discount on the Maha Card for students up to the graduation level and a Rs100 daily unlimited travel pass. The annual ridership rose from 55,000 in 2018–19 to 9 lakh in 2019–20, followed by 19 lakh in 2020–21 during the pandemic. The numbers increased to 67 lakh in 2021–22 and more than doubled to 2.43 crore in 2022–23. In 2023–24, ridership reached 2.55 crore, and in the current year, 92 lakh trips were recorded as of 15 July 2025. Maha Metro projects 3.16 crore riders by the end of the 2024–25 fiscal year. Nagpur Metro saw its highest recorded daily ridership on January 1, 2023, with 2.2 lakh passengers using the system. The Metro system includes infrastructure designed to accommodate passengers with disabilities, including ramps, elevators, tactile guidance paths, and reserved seating. MahaMetro also said the network has contributed to a reduction in carbon emissions by encouraging commuters to switch from private vehicles to public transport. However, specific data on environmental impact has not been made public in this release. The 10 crore figure includes all cumulative entries since 2019 and reflects growing dependence on the Metro for daily commuting in Nagpur. The system currently operates two corridors covering 38.2 km. Officials say Phase-II planning is underway with December 2027 as the tentative completion date.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nagpur Metro to shift to open-loop NCMC cards for seamless travel, invest ₹154.3 Cr
Nagpur: Nagpur: MahaMetro is set to transition from its current closed-loop Maha Cards to a ₹154.3 crore open-loop Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system. The move is aimed at enhancing commuter convenience and aligning with the national "One Nation, One Card" initiative. At present, Nagpur Metro commuters use closed-loop Maha Cards, which are valid only within the city's metro network. However, with the upcoming Phase 2 of the project, MahaMetro plans to introduce the RuPay-powered National Common Mobility Card (NCMC), following its successful launch on Mumbai Metro's Line 3 last month. The new system will enable seamless travel across metros, buses, and other public transport systems throughout India. Commuters will be able to tap in and out not just in Nagpur, but in any city that supports the NCMC ecosystem, offering a more flexible and user-friendly experience. MahaMetro has issued a tender for the design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the new open-loop AFC system. The project also includes QR code-based ticketing and a long-term Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (CAMC). Nagpur Metro currently has over 1.10 lakh Maha Card users, with at least two new cards being issued daily on average at metro stations. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Antivirus Protection May Be Expired - Renew now McAfee Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola Cardholders enjoy fare concessions—students receive a 30% discount, while regular passengers get 10% off. Importantly, officials have confirmed that the existing AFC gates installed during Phase 1 will not need to be replaced. "Only a software upgrade is required to accommodate the open-loop NCMC system," a senior MahaMetro official said, ensuring that infrastructure costs remain minimal. "In Nagpur Metro's earlier phase, we had tied up with banks and developed our own card system. Now, we will transition to NCMC cards. The exact number of machines and infrastructure required is yet to be assessed, as it will depend on ridership and other operational factors," said Anilkumar Kokate, director (operations and maintenance), MahaMetro. The existing SBI-Nagpur Metro Maha Card, developed in partnership with the State Bank of India and Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), is a dual-interface contactless prepaid card that supports stored-value transactions. The ₹154.30 crore investment is aimed at modernizing fare collection and improving interoperability across public transport systems. Launched in March 2019 by the Union govt, the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) is part of the "One Nation, One Card" initiative. Developed by the ministry of housing and urban affairs and powered by RuPay, the NCMC allows users to pay for travel across metro, bus, and suburban rail networks, as well as at toll plazas, retail stores, and ATMs—provided the systems are upgraded to support open-loop infrastructure.
