Kochi: The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) on Tuesday announced extension of the discount scheme for commuters till month end but with only 20 per cent cut in ticket fares instead of the flat 50 per cent reduction earlier announced till September 18.
“Kochi Metro has decided to extend the discount offer for commuters till September 30. A flat 20 per cent discount will be provided to those travelling in metro from September 19. The offer will be applicable for group bookings too,” a metro spokesperson said.
The holders of trip passes will get a discount of 30 per cent for the 30-day pass instead of the present 25 per cent and 40 per cent for 60-day pass instead of the current 33 per cent.
“The holders of Kochi1 card will get a discount of 25 per cent. However, the current 50 per cent discount scheme will end on Wednesday,” the official said.
The daily ridership, which hovered around 40,000 mark till September 3, saw a substantial rise thereafter when the new Maharaja’s College Ground-Thykoodam section was commissioned. The daily ridership figures touched 1,01,983 for the first time on September 12.
The new offer was announced to “compensate” speed restriction which is currently in force in the 5.65 km Maharaja’s College Ground-Thykoodam section. “The speed restriction of 20 kmph will be in force till upgradation of the automatic train control and management system is done. A speed test will be held and the approval of the Commissioner for Metro Rail Safety to be obtained before the trains can be operated upto a maximum speed of 80 kmph,” the spokesperson said.
