Starting December 10, Kolkata Metro will introduce a Rs 10 surcharge on all tickets for its night service operating on the Dum Dum-New Garia corridor. This decision comes as part of an effort to address low ridership on late-night trains.

The night service runs in both directions at 10:40 pm, providing a crucial transport option for night-time commuters. However, it has struggled with low passenger numbers, prompting the Metro authorities to implement the surcharge. The goal is to improve the financial viability of the service, which has lower demand compared to the day-time trains.

The Rs 10 surcharge will be applied to all tickets for this service, regardless of the distance traveled. While the surcharge is modest, it is expected to help offset some of the operational expenses. Metro authorities have not indicated whether any further changes to the fare structure will be made in the future, but the Rs 10 addition will be applicable to all tickets on the night trains.

The announcement has led to mixed responses from commuters. While some support the surcharge as necessary to maintain the service, others have expressed concerns about the additional cost for late-night travel.

officialShighlighted the financial challenges faced by the night service, stating that the daily operational costs for the two special night trains amount to approximately Rs 2.7 lakh, with an additional Rs 50,000 spent on other expenses, bringing the total daily expenditure to Rs 3.2 lakh. However, the revenue generated from these services has been significantly low, falling short of expectations and failing to cover even a fraction of the operational costs. This stark disparity between expenditure and income underscores the financial strain on the Metro authorities, necessitating measures like the Rs 10 surcharge to make the service more sustainable. The official emphasized that while the night trains are an essential service for late-night commuters, their financial viability has become a growing concern, prompting efforts to bridge the gap through this modest revenue-boosting initiative.

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