Kolkata Metro’s recent initiative to extend its service hours to 11pm on weekdays has encountered significant challenges, leading to minimal passenger uptake.
The extension, implemented following a high court directive to lengthen operation hours by 45 minutes, has been marred by operational inefficiencies and poor planning, leaving commuters dissatisfied. One major issue is the substantial 80-minute gap between the penultimate and the final service of the night. This unusually long interval is unprecedented in Indian metro cities and has drawn sharp criticism. “In no other Indian metro city does one hear of an 80-minute gap between two trains. If they really want to help commuters, they can at least run trains at 27 or 30-minute intervals after 9.40pm,” remarked a commuter who works in a chemist shop at Camac Street.
Furthermore, Metro Railway’s decision to operate only one ticket counter briefly before the last train’s arrival exacerbates the problem. This limited ticketing service, combined with the closure of all station gates except one, creates additional barriers for potential passengers. Commuters argue that better communication and access would significantly improve the service’s viability. They suggest that continuous operations until 11pm, rather than the current fragmented service, would attract more passengers. Clear signage directing commuters to the open gate and maintaining at least one ticket counter operational until the final service is also recommended measures.
The current schedule’s inadequacies were evident on the inaugural Friday night of the extended service, with very few passengers opting for the 11pm train. Despite the Metro authorities’ announcement of the new timings on Friday afternoon, the lack of comprehensive planning and execution was palpable. The service excludes three key stations on the North-South corridor – Noapara, Baranagar, and Dakshineswar – as well as other metro lines, limiting its utility further.
Commuters believe that with proper advertising and strategic adjustments, such as reducing the interval between trains and improving access to ticketing and station entry, the extended service could see higher patronage. As it stands, the current approach appears insufficient to meet the needs of Kolkata’s late-night commuters, undermining the potential benefits of the extended hours. For the extended service to succeed, Metro Railway must address these operational shortcomings and better align their service with commuter expectations.
