Key Points
- Namma Metro is getting ads for the first time
- The goal is to boost non-fare revenue.
- Green and Purple line trains are getting wrapped up in ads.
- Reactions from commuters are mixed, some love it, others not so much.
- BMRCL has been trying different ways to earn extra cash for a while now.
Looma News
Namma Metro trains are about to get a fresh look with ads, it’s a first for bangalore city. The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) just kicked off their first tender for this project, and soon, you’ll see ads wrapping around the trains on the Green and Purple lines. But chill, officials promise your views out the windows will stay clear. They’re all about keeping the trains looking sharp while finding new ways to bring in some cash.
Since 2011, BMRCL has been the odd one out among Indian metros by not having ads on its trains. But with a growing need for funds, they’re finally jumping in with the rest of the gang, like the metros in Delhi and Hyderabad that have been doing this for ages. Fun fact: Delhi Metro started this trend back in 2014!
Boosting Revenue
This whole ad thing is part of a bigger plan to ramp up that non-fare revenue. BMRCL has been getting creative with ways to earn cash, like letting films shoot and leasing retail spaces. But they hit a snag when outdoor ads were banned in 2018. Before that, they were making about ₹10 crore a year from ads on metro pillars. This new move is meant to help fill that financial hole.
Mixed Reactions
Not everyone’s on board, though. Some commuters are worried the ads might make the trains look cheap. One commuter said, “We’re already bombarded with ads everywhere,” while another pointed out the need for classy designs that won’t block the views. But there are also folks who see the bright side, if these ads help keep fares down and improve services, they’re all for it.
As BMRCL rolls out this new plan, we’ll be watching to see how it goes. Will the ads add some flair to our trains, or just clutter up the view? Only time will tell.
