Chennai, Apr 2:
The Chennai Metro has achieved a significant milestone, with over 1.01 crore passengers travelling during March 2026, reflecting a steady rise in urban public transport usage in the city.
According to official data released by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), a total of 1,01,97,604 passengers used metro services during the month. The highest single-day ridership was recorded on March 13, when 3,90,306 passengers travelled on the network, highlighting growing commuter dependence on the system.
The data also revealed that a large share of passengers preferred digital and smart ticketing modes. Over 52 lakh commuters used the Singara Chennai travel card, while nearly 48 lakh passengers opted for QR code-based ticketing, including mobile platforms such as WhatsApp, Paytm, PhonePe, and the official metro app.
Metro authorities noted that incentives like 20% fare discounts on digital ticketing options have contributed to increased adoption, encouraging commuters to shift towards cashless and convenient travel methods. However, this discount is not applicable for paper QR tickets purchased at station counters.
Officials stated that the metro continues to provide a safe, efficient, and reliable mode of transport for the people of Chennai, and the rising ridership indicates growing public confidence. With ongoing expansion projects and improved last-mile connectivity initiatives, the Chennai Metro is expected to witness further growth in passenger numbers in the coming months.