Copyright newskarnataka
Bengaluru: In a welcome Rajyotsava Day development for daily commuters, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) has announced that Namma Metro’s Yellow Line trains will operate every 15 minutes during peak hours, starting Saturday. The new frequency marks an improvement from the current 19-minute interval, following the induction of a fifth trainset into service. The Yellow Line, a 19-kilometre stretch connecting RV Road to Bommasandra, was inaugurated in August 2025 with just three trainsets operating at a 25-minute frequency. The addition of more trains since then has gradually reduced waiting times for passengers, significantly improving connectivity between South Bengaluru and the city’s IT corridor. Increased frequency for smoother travel A senior BMRCL official said on Friday that five trains will operate during peak hours, while four trains will be deployed during non-peak periods. “Operating all five trains continuously was causing maintenance challenges, so we have decided to withdraw one during non-peak hours to ensure operational efficiency,” the official explained. The RV Road Interchange Station, which links the Green and Yellow Lines, currently handles a weekday footfall of around 45,000 passengers, with overall ridership on the Yellow Line nearing one lakh daily boardings. “The frequency improvement is expected to further boost ridership and ease congestion at interchange stations,” said the official. More trains on the way BMRCL confirmed that the sixth trainset is currently undergoing testing at Titagarh Rail Systems and is likely to be dispatched by mid-November. Two additional trainsets — the seventh and eighth — are expected to arrive by year-end, completing the initial planned fleet for the line. “By the end of December, we aim to operate eight trains on the Yellow Line, enabling 10-minute frequency during peak hours,” the BMRCL official added. “We need six trains to achieve that target, and once all are operational, passengers can expect a much smoother travel experience.” Delays in the arrival of bogies from China had earlier affected train production schedules, but BMRCL officials said these issues have now been resolved. No changes in start and end timings According to a press release issued by BMRCL, the new frequency schedule will not affect the timings of the first and last trains from either terminal. The first train from RV Road will continue to operate at 5:30am, while the last service from Bommasandra will depart at 11pm. Officials said that full-fledged operations of the Yellow Line — including higher frequency and better last-mile connectivity — are expected to be in place by early next year. Positive commuter response Commuters and metro enthusiasts have welcomed the move, calling it a “timely Diwali and Rajyotsava gift.” Regular passengers have expressed hope that the improved frequency will reduce crowding and waiting times, especially at major interchange points like Jayadeva Hospital and Silk Board. With Bengaluru’s traffic congestion continuing to worsen, the Yellow Line — which connects key employment hubs — is seen as a vital step towards providing efficient, reliable public transport.
