The Metro-1 was inaugurated for public on June 8, 2014, thereby completing two years on June 7, 2016 or Tuesday.
In the last two years, since the launch of Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro line, there has been around 16 per cent increase in the average ridership as against the expectation of 3-4 per cent.
As per the data shared by Mumbai Metro One Private Limited (MMOPL), last year there were an average 2,59,242 commuters daily, while this year the average stands at 3,01,351. This is 16.24 per cent jump in commuters travelling by Metro along the 11.4-km line.
The Metro-1 was inaugurated for public on June 8, 2014, thereby completing two years on June 7, 2016 or Tuesday.
"The normal increase was expected at around 3-4 per cent," said Abhay Kumar Mishra, chief executive officer of MMOPL.
When asked by which year is MMOPL expecting to reach saturation point in carrying capacity, given the increase of ridership by 16 per cent, the official did not share the projections, but said, "During the initial years, the increase in ridership is more and later there is a gradual increase or close to linear growth."
With the increase in average ridership and also the ticketing fare as compared to the initial months after inauguration, the overall revenue from ticketing and other revenue modes too has increased.
The monthly operation and maintenance cost is Rs14 crore every month, whereas monthly revenue from all sources is around Rs17-18 crore. "But this amount is Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA)," said Mishra. Monthly around Rs17 crore is paid by MMOPL towards interest for loans for the metro project. The loans for the Mumbai Metro project has an interest of 11 per cent.
"We are asking for cash flow positive and not just EBITDA positive," added Mishra. Cash flow positive is the surplus balance over a certain period after all the expenditures and liabilities are deducted.
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