Chennai Metro Rail have been carrying out a survey to finalise the routes to operate feeder buses which will serve as last-mile connectivity in and around major stations.
Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has been in the process of procuring 220 buses which serve as shuttle services to pick up and drop off commuters from Chennai Metro Rail station for the 54 km phase I network. This facility is expected to be rolled out later this year.
When implemented, like Singapore, when you hop onto Chennai Metro Rail’s feeder buses later this year, you can just swipe your Singara Chennai card or pay through your mobile. These shuttle buses which will zip around the station neighbourhoods will operate cashless and without a conductor as well.
Of the 220 buses, 150 buses will have a capacity to accommodate 11 passengers plus a driver, and the remaining 70 buses, 16 passengers and a driver. These buses will cover stations including Koyambedu, Thirumangalam, Chennai airport, Meenambakkam, Nanganallur, Wimco Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Saidapet, and Little Mount. Though already 22 mini buses are operated from some of these stations, additional buses will be operated under this new scheme too.
Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) has flagged the need to enhance last-mile connectivity in and around Metro Rail stations in the Comprehensive Mobility Plan, how it would boost patronage and has also done a study.
