Fuel crisis drives over 3 lakh to use Metro, Aapli Bus in a day Nagpur: The ongoing fuel crisis triggered a massive shift towards public transport on Wednesday, with over three lakh commuters opting for Metro and Aapli Bus services in a single day, marking one of the highest combined ridership figures recorded in recent weeks. With petrol and diesel supplies remaining uncertain at several fuel stations, thousands of private vehicle users switched to buses and the Metro, leading to an unprecedented surge in passenger numbers. Metro recorded a significant rise in ridership, with 1,17,798 passengers traveling until 10.30pm on Wednesday, compared to 1,11,413 commuters on March 19 — a jump of over 6,385 passengers within just two weeks. Officials noted the spike reflected growing dependence of daily commuters on public transport as the fuel shortage continued. Aapli Bus service also registered its highest-ever ridership, with around 1.85 lakh passengers commuting on Wednesday. Even on March 24, the fleet carried 1.78 lakh commuters — nearly 10,000 more than ridership recorded on the same day last week. Last Wednesday (March 19), the ridership stood at 1,74,317, while on March 25 it surged to an all-time high of 1,86,148, showing a steady rise as the fuel crisis deepened. The surge in ridership also improved the financial performance of the bus service. Earning per km (EPKM) rose from Rs27.20 on March 11 to Rs30.81 on Wednesday, while earning per bus increased from Rs6,077 to around Rs6,555. Officials stated the higher passenger turnout despite the ongoing fuel crisis significantly boosted daily revenue. Interestingly, the record ridership was achieved despite the civic body operating fewer buses.#nagpur #aapli_bus #metro #kalmeshwar_route #sitabuldi_hingna_route
