The Namma Metro Yellow Line is doing more than reducing travel time and easing traffic congestion, it is also helping Bengaluru residents become more physically active, according to a new study by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc).

The study, titled ‘Assessing the Impact of Yellow Line Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) System on Public Health and Quality of Life’, found that commuters who shifted from private vehicles to the metro gained an estimated 10 to 15 minutes of additional moderate physical activity during each commute day through walking to and from stations. This comes at a time when physical inactivity is a growing public health concern in the city.

The researchers surveyed around 600 commuters and households along the Yellow Line corridor, which has been operational since August 2025, and conducted follow-up interviews with 150 respondents six months after metro operations began. The baseline survey revealed that more than 58% of respondents reported no physical activity at all, with the highest inactivity levels found among young adults aged between 18 and 29.

Incidental walking

The report noted that regular metro use introduces “incidental walking” as commuters access stations, helping many achieve a portion of the World Health Organisation’s recommended physical activity levels. The study found that physical activity was a statistically significant predictor of wellbeing, while longer commute times negatively affected mental health and quality of life.

According to the study, a meaningful shift away from private vehicles, particularly two-wheelers and cabs, after the Yellow Line became operational. Respondents reported shorter and more predictable travel times, lower fatigue levels and greater daily comfort. Several commuters said journeys that previously took up to two hours could now be completed in about 30 minutes.

Beyond physical health, the metro was found to offer significant environmental and mental health benefits. Metro users recorded the lowest exposure to air pollution among all transport modes studied, while two-wheeler riders and pedestrians experienced the highest levels of particulate matter exposure. The report also noted that metro commuters benefit from air-conditioned travel conditions, reducing exposure to extreme summer heat.

The study further found that travel satisfaction and accessibility were among the strongest contributors to mental wellbeing, while commute stress had a significant negative impact. Many respondents reported having more time for family, leisure and personal activities after shifting to the metro, leading to improved work-life balance and productivity.

Fare, access issues deter commuters

However, the researchers warned that high fares, inadequate last-mile connectivity, insufficient parking facilities and poor pedestrian infrastructure around several stations remain barriers preventing wider metro adoption. The report recommended improvements in feeder bus services, footpaths, station accessibility and fare affordability to maximise the public health benefits of the Yellow Line.

Ashish Verma, principal investigator, IISc Sustainable Transportation Lab, said, “The study on the Yellow Line Metro Rail Corridor has the potential to serve as a benchmark for understanding how shared, electric, and active mobility modes contribute not only to sustainable transportation but also to broader development goals such as liveability, public health, wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. The findings demonstrate the importance of viewing public transport investments as critical interventions for improving air quality, health outcomes, and overall quality of life.”

Anupama Shetty, mission director, Biocon Foundation, said, “This study reinforces the broader value of investing in mass transit systems, not merely as mobility solutions, but as powerful enablers of public health, environmental sustainability, and improved quality of life.”