Beleaguered KMRL forced to explore ways to restore discount cards for students

Widely slammed for its abrupt suspension of ‘Vidya’, the discounted student-specific metro passes, ahead of the new academic year, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) now appears to be exploring ways to restore them, though no clear plan is in place yet.

KMRL had introduced three categories of Vidya passes — for single-day, 30-day, and 45-day rides — in 2023, with the ostensible objective of attracting school and college students as regular metro riders. The passes were also instant hits among the student community, many of whom would otherwise have been unable to afford regular metro travel.

However, KMRL suspended the passes, along with several other categories, with little notice on April 1 this year. The student community became aware of the move only when they approached KMRL for the passes as the new academic year got under way, leading to widespread backlash.

“The student passes were temporarily suspended for April and May, as educational institutions remain closed for summer vacation during these months. We have received several complaints from various quarters and are examining how to resume them,” said KMRL sources.

Hibi Eden, Ernakulam MP, has written to KMRL managing director Loknath Behera, protesting the move. He has urged KMRL to immediately reinstate discounted travel cards exclusively for school and college students. “Ensure that any future changes to student travel concessions are communicated in advance, with alternative options in place. Continue supporting students through affordable and accessible transport as part of KMRL’s commitment to inclusive urban mobility,” the letter said.

Mr. Eden said the withdrawal of discounted cards has caused considerable hardship to the student community in Kochi, many of whom rely on the metro for their daily commute to educational institutions. The abrupt removal of the student-specific travel concessions has increased daily expenses for families and has forced many students to depend on buses, leading to delays, particularly during peak hours and amid ongoing traffic congestion caused by metro expansion projects such as the Kakkanad extension. Several students had already raised the issue with the KMRL grievance cell, stating that the removal of the cards had even affected their ability to attend classes and examinations on time, Mr. Eden added.