The Chennai Metro Rail has started trial runs from Koyambedu to the Chennai airport on Tuesday. When implemented, it will eliminate the changeover that is currently necessary at Alandur station.
So far, commuters travelling from Koyambedu to Chennai airport had to change trains at Alandur; but now they are carrying out trials to see if this plan can be implemented as a permanent service.
Officials of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) said they have used the service loop facility — constructed beyond Alandur Metro Rail station — for running the direct service. “The trials will last for a while and we will check how many passengers are using the direct service to get to the airport. We will take a call depending on the usage,” an official said.
‘Few passengers’
However, sources said that few passengers actually travelled all the way from Koyambedu to airport on the first day of trial. Also, if this plan became permanent then the service schedule of other stretches such as Little Mount-Chennai airport and Koyambedu to St. Thomas Mount might change slightly.
It was only recently that the Commissioner of Metro Rail Safety (CMRS) gave the final clearance for using this service loop to run trains with passengers.
The first stretch of Chennai Metro Rail between Koyambedu-Alandur started in June last year and the second one from Little Mount to Chennai airport in September; the St. Thomas Mount station alone was opened last month. The fares for Chennai Metro Rail ranges from Rs. 10-50 and double the fare for special class.
