MRTS train frequency to increase from May 7

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, MAY 3.To popularise MRTS services, Southern Railway will increase the frequency of trains during the peak hours from May 7.

Mr.S. Gopalakrishnan, Additional General Manager, told presspersons here today that commuters' complaint was that the services were few and far between. They could not utilise the system frequently as they had to wait for more than 30 minutes. This deterred them from using the service.

To avoid this complaint, the administration decided to increase the number of services between Thirumayilai and Beach from the existing 52 to 76, an increase of 24 trains both ways. While eight shuttle services would be operated between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. nine services between 5 p.m.to 7 p.m.

He said it was also decided to operate three car rakes for shuttle services. This would provide additional safety to passengers as there would be more passengers in three car rakes than in conventional nine car coaches. However, through services being run on the section would continue to have nine car rakes. Only shuttle services between Beach and Thirumailai would have three car rakes, including separate compartments for women and higher class passengers.

In the new arrangement, there would be EMU service for every 10 minutes during the peak hours. If the passenger patronage increased, additional cars would be attached.

The administration was in touch with the State Government for introducing combined ticketing system and the talks were in preliminary stage.

Referring to the progress of the second phase between Thirumayilai and Velacheri, he said the sub-structure and super structure work was almost over and station building work was going on in full swing. He hoped that the project would become operational as per schedule ie March 2002.

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Section  : Southern States
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