Chennai: Since introduction, around 18,797 passengers have utilised Chennai Metro Rail Ltd’s feeder services in August, and 28,831 in September.
Of this, 4,830 passengers have utilised share taxis and 24,001 have availed share autos between 1 September and 30 September.
Also, around 7,871 passengers have availed the feeder services in Koyambedu and Alandur metro stations alone said Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL) officials.
As part of providing last mile connectivity to metro rail passengers, CMRL undertook an initiative of providing feeder services through share autos and share taxis at selected stations on trial basis for a period of six months from 11 August.
Eight stations were identified for share autos which are now running on the designated feeder routes with a flat tariff of Rs 10.
Similarly, the share taxis were planned for five stations and they are now covering an area up to three Km radius with a flat tariff of Rs 15.
Also, CMRL’s mobile app launched last year has received a positive response with over 50,000 downloads in three months. An update released on 1 October has simplified the travel card recharge process and is providing commuters with live train timings.
Officials said users can register on the app and store up to five travel cards for easy recharge up to Rs 1,000 per card per transaction.
After recharge, the users will have to follow the current process of visiting the station for updating the card balance at the Ticket Vending Machine (TVM). Commuters can now plan their commute down to the minute by checking the exact time of arrival of a train as the train timings are provided on real time basis.
Other major updates on the app include feedback section, travel planner and feeder service information. The feedback feature will now allow commuters to submit their feedback in real time to CMRL authorities.
CMRL has two lines that connect various suburbs of the city. Commuters would also not have the dilemma of having to identify interchange stations to reach their destination.
The updated travel planner would let the passenger know if the train they are about to board is a direct train or if they need to interchange at Alandur. It also provides them the list of stations in between.
In other words, the app is now a comprehensive guide to navigate when using metro rails. Commuters will be able to view the feeder service (bus, cab and auto) available at different stations to surrounding areas. The upgrade of the CMRL mobile app is available for Android and iOS.
TOTAL PASSENGERS UTILISING SHARE TAXIS:
AG-DMS – 1,398
Anna Nagar East – 654
Koyambedu – 1,009
Alandur – 1,263
Vadapalani – 506
Total – 4,830
TOTAL PASSENGERS UTILISING SHARE AUTO:
Guindy – 6,499
Thirumangalam – 3,428
Alandur – 4,380
Little Mount – 3,460
Ekkatuthangal – 3,137
Koyambedu – 1,219
St Thomas Mount – 1,095
Ashok Nagar – 783
Total – 24,001
RS 6 LAKH SAVINGS:
The CMRL is expected to save around Rs 6 lakh per year in electricity bill with its newly commissioned 103 KWp rooftop solar PV power systems installed in the ancillary buildings of four underground metro stations.
The metro stations in which the solar panels are installed are namely Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar Tower, Anna Nagar East and Shenoy Nagar.
The combined output is around 13,800 units per month and CMRL expects to save Rs 6,34,744 per year through the initiative, a statement said. CMRL has already installed rooftop solar panels on the sheds of metro rail depot situated at Koyambedu and on elevated metro stations.
The electricity generated by this method is utilised for technical demands. Now the installed capacity of CMRL’s rooftop solar power is 1.6 MW in total.
Another six MW Roof Top Solar Power installation is under progress and is expected to be completed by the end of this year 2018, an official said.