Launched in April, AC suburban train services fail to attract commuters
The first air-conditioned suburban train service, launched by the Southern Railway in April, has failed to garner positive response from the commuters, despite the sweltering heat.
The 12-car AC electric multiple unit (EMU), operated on the Beach-Chengalpattu via Tambaram route, does not carry even half the sitting capacity (1,120 persons), with the average patronage being only 1,500 commuters per day. While the Metro services in the city reach full capacity during peak hours, the AC EMU is yet to touch even 50% of its total carrying capacity (3,798 persons).
The AC EMU services were allotted to the Chennai Division after several requests.and a second unit is expected.
Designed like Metro trains with automatic door system, the EMUs have vestibular coaches, stainless steel seats, and fans for additional air circulation.
On one hand, commuters point to the high fare, while on the other, transport activists attribute the lukewarm response to poor planning of operations.
Dayanand Krishnan, a train enthusiast and resident of Chitlapakkam, cites the exorbitant fare as the probable reason for poor patronage.
In a petition to the Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Mr. Krishnan sought reduction of the fare, which has been fixed at ₹85 from Beach to Tambaram, and ₹105 from Chengalpattu to Beach.
Comparing the city's AC EMUs with the Vande Metro operating from Bhuj to Anjar in Gujarat, he said the latter, which had a far better technology with ergonomic seats, charged only ₹55 for a 42-km ride as against the ₹85 for a 30-km ride between Tambaram and Beach.
While the minimum fare is fixed at ₹35 for up to 10 km, the monthly season ticket price is fixed at ₹2,115 from Beach to Chengalpattu, and ₹1,705 from Beach to Tambaram.
Regular commuters said better planning of operations could increase patronage of the services.
At present, the AC EMU, which is attached to the Tambaram shed, is being operated on a longer route — from Beach to Chengalpattu — involving a travel time of more than one-and-a-half hours. It is also operated for 10 services only.
T. Raghunathan, a regular suburban commuter from Perungalathur, said they should be operated as short services from Tambaram to Beach rather than till Chengalpattu. He called for more services during morning and evening peak hours, parallel to the suburban services, which are usually jam-packed.
The commuters also want the AC EMU services to be operated on the west section, at least between Beach and Avadi.
A senior official of the Chennai Division said the AC EMU fare had been fixed based on ones charged for AC train services in Mumbai.
He added that they would examine the feasibility of operating more services from Beach to Tambaram.
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