Chennai Metro has several gaps to fill; Last mile connectivity, sufficient integration still not there

Chennai: The Chennai Metro Rail still has to do a number of tasks before it can provide travelers with the smoothest possible journey after seven years of operation.

There are various gaps in the system that need to be addressed, whether it be the absence of a fully functional last-mile link or inadequate integration with other means of transportation.

The last mile connectivity in all stations ought to be given top importance, according to V. Santhanam, a resident of Chromepet. The State government and Chennai Metro Rail should implement a single card system that can be used everywhere, from malls to buses to Chennai Metro Rail, in order to mimic transportation systems elsewhere. “It will be easy for commuters if they can use one smart card system everywhere just as in Singapore,” he said according to a report by The Hindu.

The city should have a well-integrated transportation system, according to Aswathy Dilip, head of the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy for South Asia. This would make it appear as though a single system is operating smoothly. “This is where the role of Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) is extremely crucial. If it was active and functional, much of the coordination issues between different departments of the government would be easily resolved. If a commuter steps out from her residence, a good footpath, frequent and well-managed bus facility that takes her to the nearby Chennai Metro Rail stations and neighbourhood is all one needs to travel comfortably in this city,” she adds.