Delhi Metro carried a record 82,44,903 passengers on Thursday as a continuing strike by DTC bus drivers disrupted bus services across the capital and pushed more commuters towards the rail network. The passenger count exceeded the previous daily record of 81,87,674, set on 8 August last year, according to details reported by Live Hindustan – NCR.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) attributed the sharp increase to the DTC drivers’ strike and said it had prepared for higher demand. Metro trains operated 32 additional trips on Thursday as passenger volumes rose, with the Yellow Line, Blue Line and Pink Line recording the heaviest crowds.
The record came as the strike entered its fourth consecutive day on Friday. Drivers hired through private companies remained on strike over demands including higher wages, while the disruption continued to affect bus operations in several parts of Delhi. The strike has particularly affected commuters in outer Delhi and south-west Delhi, where passengers reportedly waited for hours for buses.
The Delhi government deployed 2,700 DTC drivers working on contract in other roles to operate buses on Friday. Some buses were seen on the roads, but most services remained disrupted, according to the report. Under normal conditions, the DTC operates about 6,300 buses across approximately 550 routes. The reported deployment was intended to restore part of the service, although operations remained uneven in several locations.
Bawana, Narela and Najafgarh were among the areas reported to have experienced a greater impact. With buses delayed or unavailable, commuters turned to the Metro, auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, cabs and RTV buses. The disruption also exposed the dependence of many neighbourhoods on bus services for access to Metro stations and local destinations beyond the rail network.
At Laxmi Nagar Metro station, passengers travelling towards Mother Dairy, Mangalam Hospital and Mayur Vihar were reported to be relying on RTV buses, auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws. E-rickshaw drivers were reportedly asking for Rs 15-20 for journeys of around two to two-and-a-half kilometres. The reported fares and delays added pressure to commuters already facing reduced public transport availability.
The record passenger count shows how quickly a disruption in one part of Delhi’s public transport system can transfer demand to another. The Metro was able to add trips, but the continuing dependence on road-based feeder and neighbourhood services means that a higher rail capacity alone cannot fully replace missing bus operations. The immediate next steps remain tied to the continuation of the drivers’ strike, the deployment of contract drivers and efforts to restore regular DTC services.
