Kochi Metro seems to be finding its feet again—with the average daily ridership now nudging the one-lakh mark. From July 2024 onwards, at least 20 days in each month have clocked an average of one lakh passengers. That’s a considerable jump when compared to 2022–23, when the daily average was 68,168. The number moved up to 88,292 in 2023–24.
The growth may not sound dramatic, but in the context of public transport trends post-Covid and fuel price fluctuations, it’s a steady climb that could shape the metro’s long-term financial health.
With more commuters pouring into stations, companies are showing strong interest in associating their brand names with metro stations—a concept known as co-branding.
Along the Aluva–Tripunithura stretch, there are 25 stations. As of now, 18 already have co-branding partners. The remaining seven are open for proposals, and they include some of the busiest spots: Tripunithura Terminal, Ernakulam South, MG Road, Vyttila, Kaloor, Maharaja’s College, and Kadavanthra.
Authorities at Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) believe these stations won’t be sitting on the shelf for long. Given the high passenger traffic and visibility, they expect interested brands to come forward without much hesitation.
KMRL has fixed annual rates for co-branding these seven stations. Ernakulam South is the priciest at ₹52 lakh per year. MG Road, Vyttila, Kaloor and Maharaja’s College stations are tagged at ₹42 lakh each. Kadavanthra stands at ₹37 lakh, and Tripunithura Terminal at ₹30 lakh.
By the look of it, Aluva station has emerged as the metro’s most valuable co-branding real estate, bringing in the highest revenue so far. It has Federal Bank as its branding partner. Other examples include Indian Oil at Edappally station and Milma at Tripunithura Vadakkekotta.
Co-branding with metro stations isn’t just about nameplates and logos. Companies get their names displayed prominently at station entrances, exits, and even inside metro trains. Announcements on board also refer to stations by their co-branded names.
In theory, it’s a win-win: brands get visibility, and the metro gets a recurring revenue stream that doesn’t depend on ticket fares alone. With public transport ridership slowly picking up across Indian cities, this model could become more common—if it continues to show results.