To increase non-fare revenue, Bengaluru Metro is exploring cargo transport during non-peak hours on the lines of Delhi Metro, which recently signed an MoU with Blue Dart for urban freight services.
Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd would soon hold discussion with logistics and e-commerce companies to develop a detailed plan, with Byappanahalli serving as the focal point, managing director M Maheshwar Rao told Moneycontrol.
“This will be a win-win for both Bengaluru Metro and logistics providers, as Namma Metro is the fastest mode of transport in the city and will also generate significant revenue for BMRCL,” Rao said.
BMRCL would soon call a meeting with private logistics providers to finalise the plan, he said.
Also, read: Why Bengaluru Metro's fare hike of up to 71% has raised hackles
“Byappanahalli could be a key hub for the project. We are now exploring all possible methods to generate non-fare revenue,” Rao said.
In Delhi, the last coach of some of the trains will be used to transport packages during non-peak hours, while the remaining coaches will continue carrying passengers. The idea is to improve urban logistics, help reduce road congestion and pollution.
Also read: Bengaluru's Electronics City Metro to be operational by May 2025
BMRCL defines non-peak hours as from opening until 8am, from 12pm to 4pm and then from 9pm until closing on weekdays. To encourage ridership during these hours, Bengaluru Metro offers a 5 percent discount on fares.
Bengaluru Metro, however, faces a shortage of trains. BMRCL operates just 57 trains on its 76-km network, while experts recommend one train per km for better frequency.
The corporation is also facing commuters’ wrath after hike fares by up to 71 percent.
Looking for revenue boost
To improve non-fare revenue, BMRCL is exploring advertising inside trains and metro stations, train wrapping, retail spaces at stations, and semi-naming rights for metro stations, Rao said.
As reported by Moneycontrol, BMRCL will soon wrap trains with advertisements. “Of our 57 trains, 10 each on the Purple and Green Lines will be wrapped with advertisements,” Rao said.
BMRCL has also floated tenders for semi-naming/co-branding rights at select stations and advertising rights inside stations.
Also, read: In a first, Bengaluru Metro to wrap trains with ads to boost revenue; tender to be floated soon
Commercial development at Majestic and KR Pura
BMRCL also plans large-scale commercial developments to generate revenue.
It has proposed a commercial complex and public parking facility above the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Metro Station (Majestic) on a 31,920 sq mt site under a 30-year Public-Private Partnership model. It will include office spaces, retail outlets and budget/boutique hotels.
Also, read: Travellin' Blues: Congested Bengaluru now has the costliest Metro fare in India
Similarly, a 6,730 sq m (1.66-acre) greenfield project is planned near KR Pura Metro Station. The site, 50 meters from the station, has faces Old Madras Road (NH75) and is well-connected to industrial and commercial zones.
KR Pura will become a major interchange station once the Blue Line (Central Silk Board–Kempegowda International Airport) is completed.
Bengaluru Metro, India’s second-largest metro network, spans 77 km with 69 stations. Another 102 km is under construction and 82 km is in the pipeline.
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