That the arrival of metro rail would revolutionise urban commute for a large section of the middle class was vouched for by passengers, who used the mode on the newly inaugurated Corridor-1 on Tuesday.
Unlike inaugural corridor between Nagole-Ameerpet-Miyapur between Nagole and Miyapur, which had seen many a footfall, courtesy joyriders, a majority of those travelling between L.B. Nagar and Ameerpet and further ahead were regular commuters. Benefits of using metro rail were multi-fold for them. Reduced travel time is, of course, the major draw.
“My travel time between Nampally and Kothapet in the evening is magically reduced to just 10 minutes. The fare, too, is comparatively affordable. I paid ₹30 for one way, instead of the ₹170 I had to pay by cab in the morning. We are happy and thankful for the metro rail and will continue to use it on regular basis,” said G. Vijayalalaxmi, an employee with the State Human Rights Commission.
Rude, nonchalant behaviour of the TSRTC drivers and conductors replaced by polite and helpful staff at the stations is another relief. “If buses don’t halt at the stop, which happens more often than not for me, the average waiting time would be at least 15 to 20 minutes before another bus comes by. Here, there is no question of the train not halting at the stop, and even if I miss one train, I can be assured that another will come in just five minutes,” explains C. Panduranga Rao, a retired employee.
Metro rail is also seen as an opportunity to avoid traffic jams and pollution, on this particularly congested, highly travelled route. Most cherished is the fact that one can avoid crossing the road at both points. “Most relieving is the thought that my daughter, an office goer, does not have to cross the road any more now to take the bus, or after alighting. Otherwise, earlier, I would accompany her to the bus stop every day to ensure that she crossed the road safely,” says V. Suvarna, a parent.
Yet, the facility is avoided by quite a few urban commuters, who feel that the fares are too high. “Metro rail charges ₹40 where an ordinary bus costs ₹12 to ₹16. It cannot be the regular mode of travel for users of ordinary bus passes. We still need buses to carry our baskets which will not be allowed on metro rail,” says Yadaiah, a fruit vendor near Kothapet fruit market.
