Instead of a plain travel card, what if you own one that has your photograph? That is what Chennai Metro Rail plans to do to in an attempt to woo commuters.
Starting next month, commuters can buy personalised travel cards at Chennai Metro Rail stations. According to officials of Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. (CMRL), commuters may approach the stations with a passport-size photograph and address proof for the personalised travel cards. “We will initially give a form that has to be filled in and returned to us with the relevant address and ID proof and we will process the request,” an official said. This will take off next month and, unlike the regular travel card that commuters get immediately, this may take a little while to process and issue, the official added. “Commuters may even want to gift this travel card,” he said.
The Chennai Metro Rail runs between Koyambedu and Alandur after six years of work. For this 10-km stretch, the fares range between Rs.10 and Rs.40 for normal class and Rs.20 and Rs.80 for the special class. Commuters using travel cards will get a 10 per cent discount on fares.
The travel card is available for Rs.100. Of this, half the amount will be a refundable deposit and the rest will be deducted during each ride; the refundable amount will be paid back when the card is returned. Commuters can top up the card for a maximum value of Rs.3,000 and the card is valid for one year.
