The Dhaka metro rail has extended its operating hours by one hour from today, with trains now starting earlier in the morning and running later at night.

According to the Dhaka Mass Transit Company Limited (DMTCL), the first train will now depart at 6:30am instead of 7:10am, while the last trip will leave at 10:10pm instead of 9:40pm.

On Fridays, the weekly holiday, services will begin at 2:30pm instead of 3:00pm, DMTCL said in a statement on Wednesday.

The decision aims to accommodate the growing number of metro users on the Uttara-Motijheel route, which currently serves more than 400,000 passengers daily.

At present, the line operates with 24 six-coach train sets, of which 12 are in service throughout the day. DMTCL plans to increase the number of daily trips within a month, operating 19 train sets simultaneously, which is expected to boost daily ridership to over 500,000.

The new schedule took effect this morning.

MN/