The back-to-back hike in fare on part of Maharashtra Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) hit its revenue collection from Nagpur Metro during the last financial year. On the contrary, effective marketing strategy in place ensures buoyancy in green bucks for the company through consultancy and non-fare box heads. Data sought from the MMRCL for the last four years indicates a steady growth in revenue from the tickets sale, this is the most effective indication of metro’s popularity. Starting with year 2020-21 the revenue earned was Rs 77,27,370 against the footfall of 4,57,553. The revenue rose to Rs 1,52,33,795 while passenger number increased to 18,80,438. Thereafter, in the subsequent two years, the growth in terms of revenue and passenger continued.

 

However, post-lockdown, as Maha Metro bosses decided to go for two rounds of hike in ticket fares, the revenue dipped slightly as Nagpurians were back to other means of transport. Compared to 2022-23 when Nagpur Metro provided revenue of Rs 2,25,621,847, it was reduced to Rs 13,27,45,089. The two years’ analysis of travellers, who preferred metro over other mode of public transport, revealed dip in revenue. During the year 2022-23 the footfall recorded by Nagpur Metro was 2,43,39,794 which decreased below one crore mark to 78,80,922 due to rise in fares.

Post-hike in ticket rates by Nagpur Metro, citizens compared it with bus fare and found the latter quite cheaper mode of travel. However, citizens ignored crucial facts like comfort of travel, air condition and most of all safety. But people residing in urban areas are sensitive to price fluctuations. Such travellers felt the hike in fares by Nagpur Metro quite steep.

 

But undeterred by the drop in response from citizens, the Maha Metro saw rapid increase in its revenue under other heads. From Fare collection the collection was Rs 1.52 crore (2020-21), Rs 4.94 crore (2021-22) and to Rs 22.56 crore (2022-23), the figures of last financial year are unaudited and hence it is not a correct reflection as yet given the fact there has been some drop in footfalls. Under the non-fare box revenue, the graph is quite impressive as rise has been quite significant as against Rs 17.54 crore (2020-21), to Rs 14.40 crore (2021-22) and now Rs 75.17 crore (2022-230). From consultancy the drop in year 2021-22, it was Rs 191.60 crore, was pushed to back, as in last year it rose to Rs 376.33 crore. Maha Metro shared the information with Abhay Kolarkar who sought details as to revenue and performance of Nagpur Metro for last four years so as to get a picture of the state of affairs. Similarly, income from advertisement, so far, has been Rs 28,79585 while rent and lease the accruals has been Rs 15,99,784. The highest net has been from FSI -- grant of TDR is Rs 5,80,48,427 and from share in stamp duty Rs 5,00,00,000.