The way we commute is changing, and nowhere is this more evident than in the metro ticketing system. Recent data shows a clear shift in how passengers are paying for their rides, with newer methods like QR tickets and NCMC cards rapidly gaining popularity. Here’s a snapshot of what’s happening in 2024 compared to last year.
From Closed Loop to QR and NCMC
- Closed Loop Cards: Once the go-to choice for commuters, their ridership has plummeted by 23.58%, dropping from an average of 4.48 crore riders per month in 2023 to 3.42 crore riders per month in 2024.
- QR Tickets: On the rise! QR-based tickets now see 3.78 crore riders per month, an impressive growth of 18.96%.
- NCMC Cards: The star performer. From being almost nonexistent in 2023, they’ve shot up to 1.59 crore riders per month, growing by a massive 285.93%.
More Passengers, Newer Preferences
The overall metro ridership has grown from an average of 8.04 crore passengers per month in 2023 to 8.84 crore in 2024. But the composition of this growth tells an interesting story:
- Closed Loop cards now account for just 36.85% of total rides, down from 56.60% last year.
- QR Tickets are holding strong at 42.95%, up slightly from 39.14%.
- NCMC cards have jumped to 20.20%, cementing their place as a commuter favorite.
Key Moments in the Year
- March 2024: NCMC cards crossed the 1.4 crore ridership mark, a jaw-dropping increase of over 23,000% compared to March 2023.
- August 2024: QR Tickets hit their peak with 4.11 crore riders, a 32.23% jump from August 2023.
- July 2024: Closed Loop cards hit a low point, with ridership dropping by 31.28% compared to the same month last year.
What’s Driving the Shift?
The trends reflect a growing preference for convenience and flexibility. QR tickets are easy to use and require no physical card, while NCMC cards offer the added advantage of being usable across multiple services. Closed Loop cards, while once popular, seem to be falling out of favor as commuters embrace these modern alternatives.
Looking Ahead
As the metro continues to evolve, the rise of digital and interoperable ticketing solutions like QR and NCMC shows no signs of slowing down. For commuters, this means smoother, smarter, and more efficient travel experiences. For the metro, it’s a sign that innovation is the ticket to success.
Also read – Ghee, Buttter and other commodities inflate at 4% per month in India on average
Data Source – Opencity data on Chennai Metro Sourced from CMRL
Also read – Main cause of Angina
Leave a Reply