Central-airport metro ride to cost Rs 70

CHENNAI: Starting from Friday, a direct metro service between Central and the airport will cover the 25-km journey in about 60 minutes. The ride will cost Rs 70.
Six stations on two key underground lines between Nehru Park and Central Metro and from Little Mount to AG-DMS will open on Friday, after missing deadlines by more than two years.



The direct service will operate across two corridors to link Central Metro and the airport as the stretch between May Day Park and AG-DMS, which will link the airport through a single corridor, is yet to be completed.

“Though a direct train from Central to the airport will now take a roundabout route through Shenoy Nagar, Anna Nagar and Koyambedu, we will still spend less time and money when compared to taking a cab or an autorickshaw,” R Sundar, a regular commuter, said.

Central Metro will link passengers heading out of suburban and MRTS stations as well as Chennai Central Railway Station, where long distance trains stop, to CMBT and the airport. Commuters arriving at Egmore Railway Station by long distance trains can also take a ride from Egmore Metro to the airport for Rs 60. A ride from Egmore to CMBT costs Rs 40.

Ticket fares in the city are the second highest among all metro rail services in the country but have been capped at Rs 70.

“Considering future expansion, the ticket fares were capped at Rs 70 because hiking fares later will be difficult and could also result in loss of patronage,” a former metro rail official said.

At Central Metro, the upper track, connecting corridor 2 between Central Metro and St Thomas Mount, and the concourse level will be opened. The lower track linking Washermenpet to the airport via Anna Salai is not yet ready.

Along with the line linking Central, a part of Anna Salai between AG-DMS and Little Mount covering 4.5km will also open. Commuters can take a ride from DMS to the airport for Rs 50. Commuters on the Central-St Thomas Mount route can shift corridors at Alandur metro and head towards AG-DMS.

The new lines are part of phase-1, which is partly funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). A release from the Japan consulate-general here said the metro rail services will be punctual, have high frequency and provide passenger comfort. “Japan feels a sense of pride in supporting the construction of the Chennai metro,” it said.