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Passenger woes in riding metro rails are likely to reduce to some extent as the metro rail company is set to increase the number of trips between Uttara and Motijheel to 178 from 152, lessening time gaps of eight minutes during peak hours on Saturday.
With the new decision, waiting time of passengers at stations on both sides during the peak time will reduce to two minutes from 10 minutes which increase the train movement to 26 times on both sides.
Managing Director of the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL) MAN Siddique disclosed this at a press conference at the office conference room on Thursday.
Each train is expected to carry 1,500 passengers after the headway time reduction which is now on average 1750 to 1775, he said.
Mr Siddique also said daily ride of passengers in the Mass Rapid Transit line 6 (MRT 6) cross 270,000 on average.
Replying to a query on frequent disruption in train operation, the MD said all the kite selling points between Shewrapara and Mirpur areas have been seized.
Regarding the stoppage of trains for other reasons, he did not make it clear but said train operations remained suspended for an hour two times due to technical reasons.
On Thursday, train operations were also halted for an hour in the first hour due to technical glitch, he admitted.
According to the changed schedule, trains movement in 8.0 minutes headways will be carried from 7:31am to 11:48 am in Uttara-Motijheel section while 8:01 am to 12:08 pm on Motijheel-Uttara section.
On the second half, peak hour for Uttara-Motijheel section is considered from 3:13pm to 8:00pm while for Motijheel-Uttara section 3:53pm to 8:40pm.
Regarding the hike in MRT fares, the MD told journalists the DMTCL does not have such information at this moment.
Fares will automatically increase if VAT is introduced on the fares. In other cases, there is no decision on the increase in the fares, he added.