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Rail passengers in Chennai will soon enjoy air-conditioned travel on the local train network. A 12-rake AC train is set to start on the Chennai Beach-Tambaram route in March, providing a cooler and more comfortable journey during the hot summer months. This new suburban train can carry about 5,700 passengers per trip, with 1,320 seats available. The Chennai railway division is finalizing the number of trips for this service.
Modern Train with Advanced Features
The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) has built this train with modern features, including underslung motors, which help increase passenger capacity compared to traditional rakes. The train is in its final preparation stage and will soon be handed over to Southern Railway. Chennai division has also received another rake from the Railway Board, indicating future expansion of AC local train services.
B Vishwanath Eerya, Divisional Railway Manager, confirmed that trial runs will begin in the second week of February, bringing the service closer to its official launch.
Fare Structure and Comparison
Officials are discussing a ticket price that is both affordable and sustainable. The proposed fare for a 28.6 km journey from Chennai Beach to Tambaram is Rs 95, which is similar to the pricing of Mumbai's AC local trains. In comparison, Chennai Metro charges Rs 50 for a 32 km journey from Wimco Nagar to the Airport.
A Southern Railway official stated that exact fares will be announced at the time of service launch. The fare for the AC Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) train is expected to be 1.3 times the first-class fare of a non-AC local train.
Future Plans for AC Local Trains
The Tamil Nadu government has explored the possibility of AC local trains on other routes, including the Chennai Beach - Chengalpattu line. A proposal was also made to work with the Central Government to manufacture AC coaches specially designed for Chennai, but this plan has not progressed yet.
As Chennai prepares to welcome its first AC local train, commuters are eagerly waiting for more details on fares and service schedules, hoping for a comfortable and affordable travel experience.