In a timely and welcome announcement coinciding with the Christmas and New Year holidays, the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) is set to deliver a significant gift to commuters on the Yellow Line (Rashtreeya Vidyalaya Road to Bommasandra). The metro operator has confirmed plans to reduce the peak-hour waiting time, or headway, to approximately 12 minutes starting from December 22, 2025. This critical service enhancement is a direct result of the successful induction of the sixth six-coach trainset into the operational fleet, which is being fast-tracked to enter passenger service just ahead of the high-traffic festive season.
The 19.15-km Yellow Line, which provides vital connectivity between South Bengaluru and the major IT hub of Electronic City, has seen a steady, yet challenging, journey since its inauguration on August 11, 2025. The initial frequency of trains was a long 25 minutes with only three trainsets, which was later improved to 19 minutes and then to the current 15 minutes with the addition of the fifth train. This progressive reduction in waiting time highlights BMRCL's commitment to addressing the persistent concerns of low frequency raised by the burgeoning commuter base, particularly the thousands of IT professionals.
The sixth trainset, manufactured near Kolkata by Titagarh Rail Systems Limited (TRSL) under a subcontract with China’s CRRC Nanjing Puzhen Co Ltd, arrived at the Hebbagodi depot in late November. Before its commercial debut on December 22, the train must successfully complete a mandatory 750-km endurance run on the mainline, along with rigorous static and dynamic signalling interface tests. A senior BMRCL official indicated that the December 22 target has been set to provide maximum relief to passengers during the typically busy holiday period.
While the 12-minute frequency will greatly improve peak-hour services—defined as 8 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm—officials have clarified that there are no immediate plans to advance the start time of operations from the current 6 am, despite repeated requests from commuters for an earlier opening. The BMRCL is also working to ensure smooth operations by keeping at least one train aside as a dedicated traffic spare for emergencies and routine maintenance. The corporation is currently awaiting the arrival of additional trainsets, which are crucial for further reduction in headways.
Ultimately, BMRCL's long-term goal is to achieve a service interval of 10 minutes on the Yellow Line, which is expected to be realised once the eighth trainset is fully operational. This phased capacity expansion demonstrates the corporation’s effort to match service levels with the soaring daily ridership, which has already pushed the overall Namma Metro network daily footfall to over a million passengers. This festive reduction to a 12-minute frequency is a significant milestone, providing tangible relief and setting a positive tone for urban mobility improvements in Bengaluru.
