Single train trip to equal 16 buses, 300 cars and 600 bikes

By 2015, when the city’s metro rail network is up and running, users will have access to trains every 4.5 minutes in peak hours and every 15 minutes during lean hours. The trains will halt for about 30 seconds in each station.

“The trains will travel at an average speed of 34 km per hour. This means that it will take only 40 minutes for passenger to travel from Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount, a distance of 22 kilometres,” an official at Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) said.

The four-car trains will have a capacity to carry 1,276 people and six-car trains will be able to hold 1,580 people. However, only four-car trains will be rolled out initially and later, depending on the need, six-car trains may be introduced, he added.

A single four-car train trip will be able to take the place of 16 buses, 300 cars and 600 two-wheelers. In 2016, the number of people using the station during peak hours is expected to be around 24,968 in corridor I from Washermenpet to Chennai Airport and 24, 324 in corridor II from Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount.

Only some stations, including Alandur, Airport, Chennai Central and Washermenpet will have parking facilities. The other stations may not have this provision owing to lack of space.

“Although the stations will have granite flooring, vitrified tiles with a slight embossment will be laid for the visually impaired to find their way from the station to the train,” sources said.

A ramp will also be provided for the differently-abled,” he said.

While the ticket fares have not been decided on yet, sources indicated they could range between Rs. 8- 23.

“It is too early to talk about the fares. The decision will be taken only when the process nears completion, depending on the cost of bus fares and several other criteria,” he added.