Demand growing for Hyderabad Metro Rail free shuttle services

Jeedimetla: The Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) launched its shuttle buses from Durgam Cheruvu station for the commuters to improve last-mile connectivity to Gachibowli and financial district. The buses are said to be available every 15 minutes for the commuters. These services are operated from 8 am to 12 noon and from 4 pm to 9 pm on weekdays.

The bus services provide a great relief for the employees who can now travel without having to hail shared autos or other transport. However, locals residing in areas like Kompally, Jeedimetla, Bolarum and Alwal find it difficult to go to Metro station and reach their respective workspaces without hassles. There is a demand to increase shuttle services across non-IT corridors like which can be helpful for those who travel by metro daily.

Sapan Mahajan, a regular commuter by metro who resides at Jeedimetla and works at Hi-Tec City, said, "There are many more IT professionals residing in the non-IT corridors and HMRL should consider them as well and start shuttle service, as it will also be beneficial for the local commuters. Usually, we have to take a share auto or bus till the respective metro station which costs around Rs 15-20. Having a free shuttle service or a paid shuttle service with a minimum amount of Rs 10 can save expenses and time simultaneously."

Jyoti Rao, a student of St Francis College who resides in Alwal, said, "The frequency of buses in the morning is enough. However, there aren't any direct buses from one place to another and sometimes it becomes difficult to change buses in peak rush hours. Hence having a metro shuttle service anywhere from Kompally or Alwal to Paradise metro station and also from Jeedimetla to Balangar metro station will provide much relief to a lot of people and also it will provide better connectivity in areas where there is no metro service."