The 12-coach AC EMU, manufactured by Integral Coach Factory (ICF), has been dispatched and will undergo trials before passenger service begins. (AI image) Southern Railway plans to introduce Chennai’s second AC local train by September-end on the Chennai Central–Arakkonam suburban corridor.
12-coach rake offers seating for over 1,120 passengers
The new AC EMU has 12 coaches, with seating capacity of at least 1,120 passengers and space for around 3,800 standing passengers. Southern Railway data shows that around 5.10 lakh passengers use suburban EMU trains on the Arakkonam–Central corridor. (AI image) Southern Railway officials said more AC EMU services could be introduced depending on passenger demand. The railway is expected to monitor the response to the new service for at least four months before taking a decision on expanding AC EMU operations. (AI image) Chennai’s first AC EMU, operating on the Chennai Beach–Tambaram–Chengalpet section, records average daily ridership of around 3,100 passengers. Railway data suggests the service should ideally carry at least 40,000 passengers a day, leaving its current utilisation below 10%. (AI image) High fares have been cited as a key reason for the first AC EMU’s low patronage. Transport enthusiast N Chandar said fares should be closer to Metro rates, pointing to the Tirusulam–Egmore journey, which costs ₹32 by Metro, ₹60 on AC EMU and ₹5 on a second-class suburban train. (AI image) Resident-activist Dayanand Krishnan said Mumbai offered a cheaper alternative, citing a 30km Vande Metro journey costing ₹40. Southern Railway has one AC EMU with 10 daily services, compared with Mumbai’s 109. (AI image)
He said fare revisions are necessary, while comparisons should account for differences in local costs and operating conditions. The rake has been assigned to the Chennai Central–Arakkonam corridor and cannot operate on the Chennai Beach–Velachery MRTS line. (AI image) The Chennai Central–Arakkonam section has a large suburban passenger base, making it the chosen corridor for the new AC service.
