Southern Railway Implements 21 Fast Local Trains to Ease Chennai Commuter Woes
In a significant move to alleviate transportation challenges, Southern Railway has announced the operation of 21 fast local trains on the Chennai Beach-Tambaram-Chengalpet stretch. This initiative, set to commence on Friday, serves as a remedial measure to compensate for the reduced frequency of regular suburban trains along this crucial corridor.
Enhanced Peak Hour Services for Daily Commuters
The newly introduced fast local trains will operate in both directions during peak hours, specifically designed to cater to the morning and evening rush of passengers. This strategic deployment aims to streamline travel and reduce congestion for thousands of daily commuters relying on this vital suburban network.
Detailed Morning Schedule from Chennai Beach to Tambaram
During morning peak hours, fast local trains will depart from Chennai Beach to Tambaram at five specific times:
- 7:50 AM
- 8:20 AM
- 9:20 AM
- 9:50 AM
- 10:15 AM
These trains will make limited stops, halting only at Egmore, Mambalam, and Guindy stations, ensuring faster transit times for passengers traveling between these key points.
Evening Departure Timings from Chennai Beach
For evening commuters, fast local trains will leave Chennai Beach at the following times:
- 5:15 PM
- 5:30 PM
- 6:20 PM
- 7:10 PM
- 8:00 PM
Comprehensive Schedule from Tambaram Station
From Tambaram station, the fast local service will be even more extensive with ten departure times:
- Morning departures: 7:40 AM, 8:10 AM, 9:10 AM, 9:40 AM, 10:05 AM, 11:10 AM, and 12:00 PM
- Evening departures: 6:05 PM, 6:50 PM, and 7:35 PM
This expanded schedule from Tambaram specifically addresses the evening rush hour demand, providing multiple options for commuters returning home after work.
Railway's Responsive Approach Based on Commuter Feedback
Initially, Southern Railway had planned to operate just five 15-car trains in both directions. However, based on valuable feedback received from regular commuters, the decision was revised to introduce more fast trains spread throughout the entire peak period in both directions. This demonstrates the railway administration's commitment to responsive service improvement and passenger-centric planning.
The introduction of these 21 fast local trains represents a substantial enhancement to Chennai's suburban rail infrastructure, promising reduced travel times and improved convenience for the city's daily commuters along this busy corridor.
