CHENNAI:After the 7.4-km underground stretch of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited from Thirumangalam to Nehru Park was inaugurated, there has been a good response from Chennaites as more than 2.82 lakh people took the Metro in the last 10 days.
The surge in commuters have come in the wake of Metro Rail’s patronage by 15,000 passengers a day in the elevated stretch from Koyambedu to St Thomas Mount and Chennai Airport to Little Mount. The opening of the stretch, which has linked educational institutions like schools and colleges, and other commercial units in Anna Nagar, has also led to issuing 1.23 lakh smartcards in the last 10 days. Similarly, Chennai Metro has seen a total of 20.25 lakh passengers using its service in the last five months. The smart card fare from Nehru Park to St Thomas Mount Metro Station is Rs 45 and Nehru Park to Airport is Rs 54.
Chennai Metro has also offered a 10 per cent discount on group ticketing, which is for commuters who travel in groups from schools, colleges etc. Meanwhile, a Store Value card has also been introduced for those who do not wish to stand in queue. It can be topped up at the ticket vending machine. The initial store value of the card is Rs 50 and the refundable deposit is Rs 10 which will be refunded when the card is returned. The minimum balance in the card should be Rs 100.
Chennai Metro also has a Tourist Card which offers unlimited rides for a day by paying just Rs 100 with a addition of Rs 50 as refundable deposit. This card has to be used within 30 days. Similarly, Chennai Metro has come out with Trip cards which offers 20pc discount for those who travel between two fixed stations.
Surging numbers
More than 2.82 lakh people took the Chennai Metro once the 7.2km underground stretch was opened
A total of 1.23 lakh smartcards were sold in the last 10 days
The total smartcard fare from Nehru Park to St Thomas Mount Metro station is D45 and up to the Airport it is D54
Commuters who travel in groups from schools, colleges etc can get a 10 per cent discount
You can get a day’s unlimited Chennai Metro rides for D150 (D50 refundable) by using the Tourist
card