Whats the latest about the metro trains services extension till midnight in Chennai?
Posted on: 10/Jul/2023 8:59:33 AM
With many traveling in the metro trains to reach their destinations in Chennai, the footfalls have increased now. The passengers now want the CMRL to extend metro train services till midnight. It is known that currently the metro trains are being operated from 4am in the morning till 11pm in the night.
Recently, a poll was conducted and it was brought to light that about 82% of respondents want the metro train service extended till midnight. It is learnt that about 9% of the respondents mentioned no and the remaining 9% have mentioned `cant say` option.
It was explained by a daily user of metro trains that extending the services would encourage more passengers to use metro trains. He added that for business and for transport oriented development operation of metro trains till midnight would be crucial.
In Chennai, on a few routes, MTC buses are in operation now after midnight and EMU services are also in operation now from 4am till midnight. The metro train commuters want CMRL to extend the services till midnight just like MTC and EMU. The passengers would use the transit services simultaneously when metro train services also get extended till midnight. The passengers can opt for an easier one if all the 3 main transport services like MTC, EMU and metro trains are available at common timings.
A suitable decision regarding the extension of metro trains till midnight would be taken depending upon the ridership and demand. This was as per Mr. MA. Siddique, MD, CMRL. He spoke about how CMRL are reviewing the morning services timings by studying the airline demands.He concluded that currently the metro train starting services have been kept based on the flying demands of the passengers.
More manpower would be required if the metro train services were extended till midnight. This was pointed out by a CMRL official. He hinted that when the footfall becomes more than 50percent and when the demand gets high then metro train services would be extended till midnight.
It was revealed by Mr. Jayakumar, special officer, CUMTA that the last mile connectivity is being studied now by CUMTA.
