Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has achieved a milestone on New Year’s Day, registering 1,61,683 passenger journeys across its integrated transport network — Kochi Metro Rail, Electric Feeder Buses, and Kochi Water Metro — marking the highest single-day ridership since operations began.
The seamless, safe, and punctual services provided by Kochi Metro played a crucial role in helping the district administration and police effectively manage the massive New Year rush across the city.
Of the total ridership, 1,39,766 passengers travelled on Kochi Metro trains, which operated extended services until 2:00 am. The Electric Feeder Bus service, which ran until 4.00 am, also set a new record with 6,817 passengers, while the Kochi Water Metro witnessed heavy patronage during the celebrations with around 15,000 passengers. On December 31, Kochi Metro achieved a new milestone by recording its highest-ever daily revenue of ₹44,67,688.
Of the total ridership, 139,766 passengers traveled on Kochi Metro trains, which operated extended services until 2:00 am. The Electric Feeder Bus service, which ran until 4:00 am, also set a new record with 6,817 passengers, while the Kochi Water Metro witnessed heavy patronage during the celebrations with around 15,000 passengers. On December 31, Kochi Metro achieved a new milestone by recording its highest-ever daily revenue of ₹44,67,688.
KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera said the achievement was the result of collective efforts by all stakeholders. He highlighted that factors such as punctual operations, cleanliness, hygiene, courteous staff behavior, passenger cooperation, extensive publicity through mainstream and social media and user friendly technology significantly contributed to the record ridership.
He also pointed out that the deployment of 15 electric feeder buses connecting metro stations and water metro terminals across multiple routes strengthened first-mile and last-mile connectivity, helping attract more daily commuters.
Since commencing operations in 2017, Kochi Metro has carried over 17.52 crore passengers. During the current year alone, ridership touched 36,58,6194, with 32,68,063 passengers travelling in December, reflecting steady growth in public transport usage.
For the first time, Electric Feeder Buses operated throughout New Year’s Eve, providing smooth connectivity across the city. Additional feeder services were arranged for passengers arriving at Vypeen from Fort Kochi via jankar services, facilitating onward travel to Metro stations, key locations, and Ernakulam South Railway Station.
The Kochi Water Metro, operating on the Mattancherry–High Court and Vypeen–High Court routes until 5.10 am in addition to its daily operations, recorded its highest-ever New Year ridership, with around 15,000 passengers using the service.
Published on January 1, 2026
