Chennai Metro Records Highest-Ever Monthly Ridership of 1.08 Crore Passengers in October

Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) recorded its highest-ever monthly ridership in October, with a total of 1.08 crore (1,08,23,408) passenger journeys. The newly operational Yellow Line contributed to this record, registering 5.83 lakh passenger journeys during its first month of service.

According to CMRL, the Green and Blue Lines together accounted for 1,02,40,136 passenger journeys in October. Meanwhile, the 14.64-km Yellow Line, connecting Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani via Porur Junction, recorded 5,83,272 journeys. The corridor features 11 elevated stations and has added a new travel route to Chennai`s Metro network.

The highest single-day ridership for the month was recorded on October 16, when 4,51,705 passengers travelled by Metro. These figures reflect continued strong patronage across the existing network, alongside growing demand for the newly introduced corridor.

Chennai Metro Ridership Continues to Grow

October`s ridership represents a significant increase compared with previous months. The Metro network recorded 74.06 lakh passenger journeys in June, followed by 1.06 crore in July, 1.04 crore in August and 1 crore in September. The total climbed to 1.08 crore in October.

With ridership remaining above the one-crore mark for four consecutive months, the latest figures highlight the growing popularity of Chennai Metro services.

The Yellow Line was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 11. Train services currently operate on the 15-km operational stretch, connecting 11 elevated stations, from 6 am to 9 pm in both directions.

NCMC Card Emerges as the Most Popular Ticketing Option

The Singara Chennai National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) was the most widely used ticketing option in October, accounting for 52.05 lakh passenger journeys.

Single-journey paper QR tickets purchased at station counters recorded 22.52 lakh journeys, while the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) platform accounted for 13.95 lakh journeys.

Among the other digital ticketing options, WhatsApp ticketing through 83000 86000 recorded 4.74 lakh journeys, followed by the Chennai One app with 4.26 lakh, Paytm with 3.35 lakh and PhonePe with 1.76 lakh.

Static QR tickets purchased at stations accounted for 2.20 lakh journeys, while online ticketing recorded 2.02 lakh. The Stored Value Pass (SVP) available through the CMRL mobile application was used for 1.33 lakh journeys.

CMRL Offers 20% Discount on Digital Ticketing

CMRL offers a 20% fare discount to passengers using NCMC cards and eligible digital QR ticketing options, including WhatsApp, Paytm, PhonePe and the digital Stored Value Pass available through its mobile application.

However, this discount does not apply to single-journey paper QR tickets purchased at station counters.

The record-breaking ridership highlights the growing popularity of Chennai MeMetro services, with the expansion of the network and the introduction of the Yellow Line further strengthening public transportation connectivity across the city.