A rising number of professionals and youngsters in the capital are consciously opting for the Metro to commute, be it to go for work or for meeting up with friends. “Doing my bit” for the environment and conserving energy is predominant on their minds.
Eighteen-year-old Sumit Roy, student, loves to travel by the Metro. He says it’s a different experience. “Contrary to some of my friends who prefer driving, I am absolutely comfortable commuting anywhere in the Metro. It’s not that I can’t drive, but I choose not to. When Metro is relatively well connected in the city, why opt for the pain of driving?” he asks.
For Sheetal Dhillon, yoga instructor, driving down everyday for yoga classes proved to be extremely exhausting. She opted for the Metro and saved herself from the maddening traffic chaos. “It takes me almost the same time of one-and-a-half hours, but it is much more convenient. I just wish the station was closer to my place though,” says Sheetal.
The ladies compartment in the Metro that started a month ago has also prompted many like Kanika Sharma, media professional, to choose Metro over bus. Says Kanika, “For a year I fluctuated between a bus and Metro. But ever since they started the ladies compartment in Metro, it’s become my preferred mode of travel from safety point of view.”
For those who work in Gurgaon, the travelling time saved is now utilising constructively. Babusha Sharma, financial analyst with a MNC in Gurgaon, now has more “me-time” when she’s back from work. “I opted for Metro because I want to do my bit for the environment. It takes me 35 minutes to reach Gurgaon from Race Course Road and an office shuttle from the station drops us to the office in 10 minutes. When I come back, I play badminton, go for walks as compared to earlier when I used to be back by 9.30 pm and had no energy left for anything.”