A commute in the city’s lifeline is likely to be less arduous and more entertaining very soon.

The Kolkata Metro Railway is exploring options to introduce free Wi-Fi and infotainment facilities in the existing north-south Metro corridor.

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The city metro has taken several initiatives for generation of non-fare revenue (NFR). According to the general manager of Kolkata Metro Railway, the city Metro is still fifth in generation of NFR amongst the various railway zones.

“In the Metros and railways of the developed economies, there is a ratio of 60-70 per cent of non-fare revenue and only 30-40 per cent of fare revenue. This year the Kolkata Metro Railway is aiming to generate Rs 32 crore from NFR which would be about 200 per cent more than that of last year,” informed Mr Arora, while addressing the media during a programme to introduce newly-designed tokens with co-branding today.

Two lakh such tokens are to be sold from the counters of the Metro corridors of North-South or Blue Line, East-West or Green Line and the upcoming Joka-Taratala or Purple Line.

The zonal railway is also considering plans to utilize the amount of the NFR in providing enhanced facilities to its commuters.

As a part of the initiative, the Kolkata Metro Railway is now mulling over to introduce two more facilities to the commuters. As informed by Mr Arora, the city Metro might introduce free WiFi and infotainment facilities for the commuters.

This, according to the general manager, would keep them engaged during the journey and would also allow the commuters to use free Wi-Fi while travelling.