Challenges Impacting Chennai Metro Rail Footfall

The resumption of MRTS services between Chintadripet and Chennai Beach has significantly impacted the passenger traffic of Chennai Metro Rail, causing an 8% decline in November compared to October. While Metro services benefited temporarily from MRTS suspension, the restoration of train operations on the Velachery-Chennai Beach route has drawn commuters back to MRTS.

Additionally, holidays for schools and colleges due to rains further contributed to the dip in daily passenger numbers, reducing the average to 2.78 lakh in November. Despite nearing a decade of operations, Chennai Metro Rail still struggles with the lack of a robust last-mile connectivity system, making access challenging for those without private vehicles. Establishing dedicated share autos or cars from stations could attract new users and strengthen the system’s commuter base.