Namma Metro Boosts Yellow Line Frequency to 15 Minutes as Fifth Train Joins Fleet

Commuters on Bengaluru's Namma Metro Yellow Line will now enjoy shorter waiting times, as the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) introduces a fifth train on the route from 1 November. Trains will now operate every 15 minutes during peak hours, an improvement from the earlier 19-minute interval.

The change marks another step forward for the 19-km corridor that connects RV Road to Bommasandra, Bengaluru's prominent tech and industrial hub. When services first began in August, trains ran every 25 minutes-a frequency that steadily improved as additional trainsets were deployed.

Rising Ridership and Network Impact

The Yellow Line has witnessed a rapid increase in ridership, with close to one lakh daily boardings. The RV Road Interchange Station, linking the Green and Yellow Lines, now handles nearly 45,000 passengers on weekdays.

A senior BMRCL official confirmed that five trains will operate during peak hours and four during non-peak periods, noting that one train will be temporarily withdrawn during off-peak times for maintenance purposes.

Operational Details and Expansion Plans

According to BMRCL, the fifth trainset was received by the end of September. The metro operator emphasised that there would be no change in the timings of the first and last trains from either terminal, maintaining schedule consistency for daily commuters.

The sixth trainset is currently undergoing testing at Titagarh Rail Systems and is expected to be dispatched by mid-November. Once in service, it will support commercial operations from December.

Two additional trainsets - the seventh and eighth - are scheduled to arrive by the end of the year, although delays in bogie supplies from China have impacted manufacturing timelines.

"By year-end, we aim to operate trains every 10 minutes during peak hours," a BMRCL official stated, adding that six trains will be required to meet that goal.

The deployment of extra trains will help reduce congestion and waiting times across key stations, enhancing the overall commuter experience. While the Yellow Line's full-fledged operations are expected next year, this interim increase in frequency signals a strong commitment to improving Bengaluru's urban mobility.