Chennai: In a move that will make travelling on Metro trains even more accessible and comfortable, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) has introduced cab feeder services in five Metro transit hubs and share autos in seven stations from today.
With meager fare of Rs 15 and Rs 10 for the cab and auto respectively, Metro rail passengers can now cover over 3 km around the select stations to reach their homes or any other destination.
A Metro Rail spokesperson Pandiyan, said,”These feeder services have been introduced to provide last-mile connectivity for the passengers getting down at Metro stations. The vehicles will be operated between 6.30 am and 9.30 pm every day with a pickup and drop every half-an-hour. The scheme has been implemented on a trial basis for six months. Based on the patronage, the services will be improved with a frequency of 10-15 minutes in accordance with the train timings. A private agency has been appointed for the job.”
A Nangannallur resident Sathasivan, said,”It’s a good initiative that will provide better accessibility for passengers, but the frequency is not that great. A service every half-an-hour means passengers have to wait about 10 minutes before they can start off to their destination. Also, not many stations have been covered including the nearest station for us in Nanganallur. It would be better if these things are sorted out.”
Another resident of the locality, G Babu, said,”Already CMRL introduced cab services to DLF but the patronage has not been that great thanks to the low frequency. Even in this initiative, the frequency seems not be great. CMRL needs to increase it to find more passengers.”
THE CAR ROUTES
Koyambedu – VR Mall, Padi flyover, Saravana Stores and Thirumangalam.
Alandur – Tamarai IT Park, CIPET Head Office and Guindy bus stop.
Anna Nagar East – Entire 3-km radius.
AG-DMS – Alwarpet, Bosch Office and Semmozhi Poonga.
Vadapalani – SIMS Hospital, Murugan Temple and Menaka Cards.
SHARE AUTO ROUTES
Ashok Nagar – CPWD Staff Quarters, 9, 10, 12 Sectors at K K Nagar, RTO ground and Anna Nagar Road.
Alandur – Butt Road, Chennai Trade Center, MIOT and Saint Patrick’s Church.
Ekkatuthangal – Guindy industrial estate, Guindy bus stand and Thiru Vi Ka industrial estate.
Guindy – Race course, Phoenix Market City, Vijayanagar junction and Velacheri.
Koyambedu – Padikuppam, Mugappair industrial estate, JJ Nagar, Mugappair West, MGR College and Daniel Thomas School.
St Thomas Mount – Medavakkam Main Road and Inner Ring Road
Thirumangalam – Entire 3-km radius