BENGALURU: In a major relief to passengers and airport staff at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), South Western Railway on Monday commenced train services to newly built railway halt station.
The first DEMU train left at 4.45am from KSR Bengaluru City to KIA halt station with passengers including Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan and Bengaluru divisional railway manager Ashok Kumar Verma. The train reached the KIA halt station at 5.50am.
SWR is operating 10 trains a day to and fro KIA halt station. The facility is expected to benefit the airport's 28,000 employees and passengers.
The swanky KIA halt station, built by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) at a cost of Rs 3 crore, has a booking counter, concourse area, restrooms with provision for passengers with reduced mobility, granite benches for eating, drinking water facilities, cafeteria and vending machines. Based on usage and acceptance, the facilities will be upgraded to cater to the travel needs of commuters and employees of the airport. Passengers could also check flight details at the halt station itself.
BIAL is operating shuttle bus services to and from halt station, which is around 3.5km away from the terminal.
The fare for a ticket is between Rs 10 and Rs 15. While BMTC Vayu Vajra fare from Majestic to KIA is Rs 235 per ticket, a cab ride costs around Rs 800.