Chennai: Feeder service soon in all metro stations

CHENNAI: From April, commuters can board share autorickshaws or share taxis from any of the 32 metro stations operating across the two corridors of metro rail phase-1 to reach their destination. Chennai Metro Rail Limited has issued orders to a private firm to set up a vehicle stand at all metro stations, with each having at least five share autos and share taxis as part of its effort to provide commuters with a feeder service for last mile connectivity.

“In two months, we will have share autos and sedan type cars in all stations. Other feeder services we operate in a few stations will also be extended to more stations depending on passenger feedback,” said a CMRL official.

At present, share auto and share taxi services, launched in August 2018, are operated on trial basis, at 13 metro stations. In six months, nearly 1.7 lakh commuters used these feeder services that operate within a 5km radius.

On Monday, Vogo, an e-scooter rental service, was launched at Guindy, Alandur, Vadapalani and Anna Nagar Tower. Commuters can download the scooter rental app and book rides after attaching their driving license. They will get a one-time password to access the key box in a scooter. Once the ride is complete, commuters can drop off the scooter in any pickup/drop points.

Efforts are also being taken to extend other services including rental bicycles, vans and self-driving cars, which are operated in select stations for last mile connectivity to all stations.

As a start, CMRL has moved a few bicycles it has been providing to commuters in some stations, functioning for more than a year, to the stations between Washermenpet and AG-DMS, which were opened on February 10.