Chennai:
Two days after the inauguration of Chennai Metro Rail’s 10 km stretch
between Koyambedu and Alandur, politicians cutting across political
lines queued up at metro stations to experience the new mode of city’s
transport.
DMK leader M K Stalin, DMDK leader Vijaykanth and BJP state general
secretary Vanathi Srinivasan were among those who took the ride from
different stations.
Earlier, in the day it was utter chaos at Koyambedu Metro station when
DMK treasurer Stalin entered the station accompanied by supporters and
former Mayor M Subramaniam.
Amidst slogans and waving of party flags, the former deputy chief
minister swiped his smart card to access the station as his supporters
as well as media tried to eke in.
After completing the 10km stretch through metro train, Stalin, who had
anxious moments in handling the media in the train, said that Chennai
Metro would ease vehicular congestion besides improve the air quality
of Chennai being polluted by vehicles.
It will also cut down travel time, Stalin said. He was also for
reduction in the Metro fare. The DMK leader said that he interacted
with the passengers who sought reduction in the price of tickets.
Meanwhile DMDK leader Vijaykanth travelled from Alandur to Koyambedu
Metro station.
BJP general secretary Vanathi Srinivasan, who also used the metro
rail, took a group of flower sellers on metro ride. She also said that
Chennai Metro should give permission for people to carry in the
baggage containing flowers and vegetables in the train. She also said
that Tamil Nadu BJP would push for reduction in the fare of Chennai
Metro.
Interestingly, as per figures received from Chennai Metro, the second
day collections through sale of tickets was Rs 10.9 lakh. This was way
too less than the collections during the first day when the sale of
tickets and smart cards was Rs 16.77 lakh.
Interestingly, during the whole day a total of 40,500 passengers
travelled in Chennai Metro. On an average, it is quite lower than the
first day. During the first day, Chennai Metro operated from 12pm to
10 pm and recorded a total of 40,000 passengers using its services.
However, on the second day, the services started from 6am to 10pm but
the increase was only 500 passengers (40,500).
A Metro rail spokesman said that Chennai Metro is likely to experience
more crowd during the week days.
He said that on Tuesday, the Metro trains made 198 trips. The most
number of collections through sale of tickets and smart cards was Rs
3.8 lakh from Alandur while the least was from Ekkaduthangal (Rs
48,000)
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of all Types of
Differently-Abled and Caregiers (TARATDAC) has sought separate smart
card for them besides concession in the fares. In a letter to Chief
Minister J Jayalalithaa, they said that the fare when compared to
Mumbai and Delhi metros is way too high. “In Tamil Nadu there is free
bus pass for differently-abled, we want similar concessions in chennai
Metro,” said a release from TARATDAC
Two days after the inauguration of Chennai Metro Rail’s 10 km stretch
between Koyambedu and Alandur, politicians cutting across political
lines queued up at metro stations to experience the new mode of city’s
transport.
DMK leader M K Stalin, DMDK leader Vijaykanth and BJP state general
secretary Vanathi Srinivasan were among those who took the ride from
different stations.
Earlier, in the day it was utter chaos at Koyambedu Metro station when
DMK treasurer Stalin entered the station accompanied by supporters and
former Mayor M Subramaniam.
Amidst slogans and waving of party flags, the former deputy chief
minister swiped his smart card to access the station as his supporters
as well as media tried to eke in.
After completing the 10km stretch through metro train, Stalin, who had
anxious moments in handling the media in the train, said that Chennai
Metro would ease vehicular congestion besides improve the air quality
of Chennai being polluted by vehicles.
It will also cut down travel time, Stalin said. He was also for
reduction in the Metro fare. The DMK leader said that he interacted
with the passengers who sought reduction in the price of tickets.
Meanwhile DMDK leader Vijaykanth travelled from Alandur to Koyambedu
Metro station.
BJP general secretary Vanathi Srinivasan, who also used the metro
rail, took a group of flower sellers on metro ride. She also said that
Chennai Metro should give permission for people to carry in the
baggage containing flowers and vegetables in the train. She also said
that Tamil Nadu BJP would push for reduction in the fare of Chennai
Metro.
Interestingly, as per figures received from Chennai Metro, the second
day collections through sale of tickets was Rs 10.9 lakh. This was way
too less than the collections during the first day when the sale of
tickets and smart cards was Rs 16.77 lakh.
Interestingly, during the whole day a total of 40,500 passengers
travelled in Chennai Metro. On an average, it is quite lower than the
first day. During the first day, Chennai Metro operated from 12pm to
10 pm and recorded a total of 40,000 passengers using its services.
However, on the second day, the services started from 6am to 10pm but
the increase was only 500 passengers (40,500).
A Metro rail spokesman said that Chennai Metro is likely to experience
more crowd during the week days.
He said that on Tuesday, the Metro trains made 198 trips. The most
number of collections through sale of tickets and smart cards was Rs
3.8 lakh from Alandur while the least was from Ekkaduthangal (Rs
48,000)
Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of all Types of
Differently-Abled and Caregiers (TARATDAC) has sought separate smart
card for them besides concession in the fares. In a letter to Chief
Minister J Jayalalithaa, they said that the fare when compared to
Mumbai and Delhi metros is way too high. “In Tamil Nadu there is free
bus pass for differently-abled, we want similar concessions in chennai
Metro,” said a release from TARATDAC
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