Affordable, various modes of transport available in Chennai

CHENNAI: With multimodal commutation options available, Chennai offers transportation in all ranges to its residents. While both the airport terminals have prepaid taxi kiosks and app-based cabs services catering to other parts of the area, buses, metro rail and suburban rail make commuting to the rest of the city cheaper compared to other metropolitan cities in the country.

Buses, which are the primary mode of transport with about five and a half million daily patronage, despite the recent fare hike still offers commutation at a comparatively lesser price.

“While the minimum bus fares for Metropolitan Transportation Corporation (MTC) start at ' 4 (previously, '3), other metropolitan cities charge relatively higher. For example, bus fares at Mumbai start from '8 and at Bangalore, the minimum charge is '5,” said a transport official.

Suburban rail, which is another prime mode of transport, has tickets prices starting from '5 “The frequency of the local trains and great connectivity are the major reasons to prefer this mode. Though the quality is not so good, pocket-friendly prices keep us going,” said K. Balamurugan, a regular commuter.

Chennai Metro Rail, a much-awaited, part-underground rapid transit system, which partially opened in late 2016, is also turning out to be a boon. 

Fares range between '10 to '50. But, with local trains, bus and share auto services already available at very low cost, public consider it not so convenient to access.