Though the state government had lifted the night curfew – imposed between 10 pm and 5 am – on November 6 following a decline in Covid cases, the Metro services are available only till 10 pm
After a gap of nearly 20 months since Covid-19 broke out, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) on Sunday resumed its night service buses across the city as the government recently lifted the night curfew imposed across the state. However, despite the increasing demand from Metro commuters, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is yet to take a call on extending the operational hours of the city’s Namma Metro service.
At present, the Metro operates from 6 am to 10 pm. The state government had, on November 6, lifted the night curfew – imposed between 10 pm and 5 am – following a decrease in the number of Covid cases in the city.
Since the last Metro service ends at 10 pm, there is a huge rush in the station as well as inside trains, increasing the risk of Covid transmission. Timings of the service should be extended as many depend on the Metro for their daily commute,” said Sharath, a Metro user who works at a tech company in MG Road.
Rakshitha, who works in the city’s hospitality industry, said she often has to rely on cabs and autorickshaws since the Metro service is not available after 10 pm. “Many times, I have missed the last Metro since we occasionally have to work beyond 10 pm. Earlier we had Metro till midnight, but now we are forced to take cabs or autorickshaws, which not only charge high rates at night but are also less safe for us,” said
Meanwhile, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) said 70 of its buses resumed night services on various routes across the city from Sunday.