Kochi: Kochi Metro registered a record performance on New Year’s Eve, with more than 1.61 lakh passengers using its integrated transport services, including metro trains, electric feeder buses and the Kochi Water Metro.

According to Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), a total of 1,61,683 passengers travelled across the three services during the New Year celebrations. On December 31 alone, Kochi Metro earned ₹44,67,688, marking its highest-ever single-day revenue.

As part of New Year arrangements, metro train services were extended till 2 am, during which 1,39,766 passengers travelled. Electric feeder buses, which operated till 4 am, carried 6,817 passengers, while the Kochi Water Metro recorded around 15,000 passengers during the festive night and early morning.

Since its launch in 2017, Kochi Metro has transported a total of 17.52 crore passengers. The cumulative ridership for the current year has risen to 3.65 crore, while 32.68 lakh passengers used the metro services in December alone.

To boost first-mile and last-mile connectivity and attract more daily commuters, KMRL deployed 15 electric buses on various routes connecting metro stations and Water Metro terminals. The initiative, officials said, reflects the city’s steady transition towards a green and sustainable transport system.

KMRL Managing Director Loknath Behera said the achievement was the result of collective effort. He credited accurate and extended services, cleanliness, disciplined operations, courteous staff behaviour, passenger cooperation, extensive promotion through media and social platforms, and the use of customer-friendly technology for the record performance.

Electric feeder bus services were operated on New Year’s Eve for the first time. Passengers travelling from Fort Kochi to Vypin via Ro-Ro services were provided feeder bus connectivity to various locations, metro stations and Ernakulam South railway station.

In addition, the Kochi Water Metro ran extra services beyond regular schedules till 5.10 am on routes such as Mattancherry–High Court and Vypin–High Court, contributing to its record ridership of around 15,000 passengers on New Year’s Day.