The Chennai division, to attract more commuters, had also increased the train services from eight to 10 in May this year. (File photo)
The air-conditioned (AC) suburban train services introduced for the first time in the city by Southern Railway more than six months ago is yet to achieve one-fourth of its total carrying capacity. These services are currently inching towards a commuter traffic of 3,000 per day.
Dayanand Krishnan, a transport activist, recently obtained data under the Right to Information (RTI) Act from the commercial section of the Chennai division regarding the AC suburban train services. Based on this, he found that the services, though having a good potential to attract large commuters in the highly congested section of Beach-Chengalpattu via Tambaram, had been seeing poor patronage.
The data revealed that the 12-car AC train had a total carrying capacity of 4,914 people — 1,116 sitting and 3,798 standing. Also, though 10 services are operated (data given based on eight services), the train to achieve 100% utilisation should be carrying 39,312 people, 19,656 for 50%, and 9,828 for 25%. However, the actual commuters who used the AC train services daily remained 2,800 (as per the June data), which showed the train has not even touched 10% utilisation of the total carrying capacity. The Chennai division to attract more commuters had also increased the train services from eight to 10 in May this year.
Commuters particularly using the Beach-Tambaram-Chengalpattu section blame the higher fare, mismatch in timing of the operation of train services, and the use of Metro Rail services for last-mile connectivity. Commuters say the fare (including Goods and Services Tax) is ₹35 for 1 km to 5 km, ₹40 for 11 km to 15 km, ₹60 for 16 km to 25 km, ₹85 for 26 km to 40 km, and ₹105 for 56-60 km to Chengalpattu.
However, Mr. Krishnan points out while the monthly season ticket fares looks affordable it has not been attracting riders. He says the effective cost per trip in the monthly pass of 60 trips works out to only ₹10 (1–5 kms), ₹20 (16–20 kms), ₹27 (26–30 kms), and ₹34 (56–60 kms).
The commuters also complained about the mismatch in the operation of trains during peak hours when the 12-car suburban services from Tambaram to Beach are heavily crowded.
S. Ashwin, a regular commuter from Sanatorium, said though the Southern Railway operates AC EMU services from Tambaram to Beach, it would be better if all services are operated only between Beach and Tambaram. This would result in more number of shuttle services to be operated rather than operating till Chengalpattu.
This would also prevent commuters travelling from Tambaram or Sanatorium to switch over to metro trains at Meenambakkam or Guindy, as is the case now.
Published – October 07, 2025 05:30 am IST
