Chennai:
Five days of free rides in Chennai Metro on Tuesday has resulted in popularizing the new mode of transport among people from all walks of lives.
While fare had been a issue for people from poor strata of the society but on the last three days the train almost ran jam-packed. A total of more than 4.37 lakh passengers enjoyed the free trip provided by Chennai Metro from May 25 to May 28, a metro spokesman said. The figures for Tuesday will be released on Wednesday morning, the spokesman added.
Uma, a housemaid working in Nerkundram, said that it was the first time she had travelled in Chennai Metro and was in awe of the services provided by Chennai Metro. So did the other travelers.
It was a joy trip for the children on vacation as they jumped, screamed and peered through the glass as the metro sped across the tunnel. Most of the train was full and many have to remain standing till the last stop as Metro Rail staff announced through mikes about the schedule of last train.
“We extended the free trip by one more day. The free trip was announced only at 10am,” said a Metro Rail spokesman. Interestingly, by then a majority of office goers had already reached office. The only grouse among many outstation rail passengers was that they were unaware of the new metro rail service from Egmore. Similarly, for commuters in Chennai Central, the big trouble was crossing the busy road to reach to park station to have access Chennai Metro.
However, North Chennai commuters having access to Beach and other stations by using the suburban service till Park station took the Metro. The best thing about the Metro was that it would provide traffic snarl free ride and time would be saved. Usually, a trip from Chennai Central to Koyambedu would take 45 minutes during peak hour and this could be reduced to 15 to 20 minutes while travelling my metro.
It will also provide train access to commuters from, residential areas in North Chennai, Kilpauk and Anna Nagar who prefer to travel to Tambaram or beyond. It will also be useful to commuters, specially engineering graduates, who want to travel to Poonamallee and beyond as they have to get down at Koyambedu Metro station and take a direct bus to their destination.
However, all eyes will be on Chennai Central which is partially completed and only one exit is opened. Passengers with heavy luggage from Chennai Central would be thinking twice on taking all the trouble to reach the exit which is on Park Town.
Similarly in Chennai Egmore, the direct exit from railway station to Metro is not available. Passengers have to walk down the stairs and then reach metro through a different entry which is time consuming, said Senthil, a commuter.
Factfile:
May 25:
Total number of passengers to access Chennai Metro: 50,000
May 26:
Total number of passengers: 1. 20 lakh
May 27:
Total number of passengers: 1. 54 lakh
May 28:
Total number of passengers: 1. 12 lakh
Total passengers in last four days: 4.37 lakh
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