Comparing Metro Rail’s current and initial earnings not logical: DMTCL

It is not logical to compare the current earnings of the metro rail with those from its initial phase of operation, said Khondaker Ehteshamul Kabir, company secretary of Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL). 

Previously, various posts and graphics comparing the metro rail’s income from 18 days of operation with its initial six-month earnings went viral on social media. 

While speaking with TBS last night, Ehteshamul Kabir explained that initially, the metro rail was operational for only a short time and covered a limited distance, running from Uttara to Agargaon. 

Additionally, passengers were unfamiliar with using this first-of-its-kind service in Bangladesh. 

He added, ”Now, the metro rail is running at full capacity, with more passengers as the service has expanded in both time and distance. Currently, around 300,000 passengers use the metro daily, generating an average turnover of over Tk1 crore. And this number is still growing.” 

The comparison gained traction after DMTCL Managing Director Mohammad Abdur Rauf disclosed the income for the current month (up to 18 September) at a press conference on 19 September. 

He stated, ”From 1 September to 18 September this month, 4,909,049 passengers travelled on the metro, generating an income of Tk206,730,591.” 

Meanwhile, the total income for the metro rail during its initial six months of operation was presented by the then-concerned minister in parliament.

On 4 March, in a written response to a question from Awami League member Md Abdul Latif during a session of in the House, the then Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader stated that according to the final accounts audited by an audit firm for the financial year 2022-23, the total earnings from January to June amounted to Tk182,806,514. 

The metro rail was inaugurated on 28 December 2022. Initially, it operated for four hours, running from Uttara to Agargaon. The following year, on 5 April, this was extended to six hours, from 8 AM to 2 PM. 

On 4 November 2023, the section from Agargaon to Motijheel was opened, and operating hours were increased to 13.5 hours, running from 7:10 AM to 8:40 PM. Currently, the metro rail operates regularly from 7:10 AM to 9:40 PM. 

After the metro rail was extended to Motijheel, particularly with key areas such as Motijheel and the Secretariat now covered by the rail network, passenger numbers began to rise significantly, along with the authorities’ earnings. 

The fare from Uttara North Station to Agargaon is just Tk60, while the fare from Uttara North Station to the Secretariat is Tk90 and Tk100 to Motijheel.