Chennai, Oct 28:
Chennai suburban rail passengers have a new travel option with the introduction of an air-conditioned electric train service on the Chennai Central–Arakkonam route. The service began on October 23 and has received a positive response from commuters.
The train, manufactured by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Perambur, is the second AC electric multiple-unit service in Chennai’s suburban railway network. The first was introduced on the Chennai Beach–Chengalpattu section in April 2025.
The new service operates on a trial basis until December 24, 2026, from Monday to Friday. The minimum fare has been fixed at Rs 35 and the maximum at Rs 230, depending on the distance travelled. Passengers will need to purchase tickets specifically for the AC service.
The initial run began at Avadi at 6.30 am and reached Arakkonam at 7.45 am. Railway officials and technical personnel travelled on the inaugural service to monitor its performance. The continuation of the trial service will depend on passenger response.