Kochi Metro coaches will stand out not just for their unique colour scheme, but for a discernible fragrance as well.
Tata Elxi, the metro’s consultant for customer experience and branding is expected to finalise select liquid fragrances that will pump good aroma through the air conditioning duct of the Metro’s 75 coaches. “A few other metros have adopted this system whereby fragrances in coaches are changed every few hours. Airlines too adopt this method, choosing fragrances that customers in each part of the globe are fond of,” metro sources said.
This is expected to enhance the quality of customer experience in humid Kochi since foul air will be sucked away from AC coaches. The consultant is discussing the matter with metro agencies, coach manufacturer Alstom and suppliers of AC equipment, they said.
Currently, priority is being given to finalise colour coding of coaches so that the coach manufacturer can place order for shades that are chosen. The list of colours for exterior and interior and other elements of aesthetics will be finalised soon.
The first lot of coaches is expected to be brought to Kochi in December from its Sri City unit (in Andhra Pradesh) in trailer lorries.
As per plan, parts of coaches/trains which are reserved for senior citizens, women and handicapped people will be identifiable by colour. Everyone may not be able to read information boards and hence the decision to adopt colour coding.
Though Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) had suggested exposition of regional art and dance forms on coach exteriors a final decision is awaited. “The opinion of members of the public too will be sought before decisions are taken.”
The metro agency had mooted unique regional themes for stations as well. Signages and other aspects within stations and those that direct commuters to other modes of transport in the vicinity too are being finalised.