On March 8, women can enjoy unlimited free rides via Kochi Metro, across all stations in the city. The Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) took to social media to make the announcement, adding that the offer was to commemorate International Women’s Day. By Eshita Srinivas
KMRL recently stated that it would offer free rides to women passengers on March 8, 2022, in honour of International Women’s Day. It added that women staff would be appointed station controllers across 10 major stations on the day and hinted at events and competitions being organised to make travel more joyous for women.
Kochi metro announces free rides for women, special packages for students
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Kochi Metro also recently announced special packages for students, in order to help them make it to their examination centres on time, The New Indian Express reports. The first includes a monthly pass that offers a 60 percent discount and gives students access to 100 trips a month, from any dedicated stations across the city. The boarding station and exit station for the same will remain fixed. Another includes a day pass for INR 80, which will allow them to take unlimited trips in a day. Passes will be available at all stations.
Six stations, namely Aluva, Edappally, MG Road, Kadavanthra, Vyttila, and Thykoodam, are also undergoing a creative makeover to make them more people-friendly. Infrastructure work involves spaces for cultural performances and exhibitions and selfie zones as well as the construction of feeding rooms and spaces to charge devices.
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Besides this, the walls of MG Road feature the life of Mahatma Gandhi while those at Aluva metro station feature Kathakali and the heritage of Kerala. Furniture made from scrap has been added to many stations and passenger information systems have been digitised as well, as per a report by India Today. In addition to this, commuters can now access a little free library at the Kadavanthra station and borrow or donate books.
Kochi metro has always led by example, adding features to make travel more inclusive and comfortable for passengers. In 2019, it inaugurated breastfeeding cabins at Aluva train station to give nursing mothers a private room to feed their children, a report by India Times notes.
Feature and hero image: Kochi Metro
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