Over 24.3 lakh people commuted via the metro trains in April 2019, making it the highest footfall since operations began in June 2015, the Times of India reports. Furthermore, it was the first time that the daily ridership in Chennai Metro had crossed one lakh. On 26 April, 1.02 lakh commuters used the metro.
The metro has seen a jump of 29 per cent, two months after the final leg of Phase-1 from Washermenpet to AG-DMS stretch of 10 km had opened. The new stretch is the shortest link between the Central Railway Station and the airport.
Although stations like the Thousand Lights and LIC had poor access to the facility with only two entry points instead of four, they received good ridership because nearly 7.3 lakh people availed free rides in the first few days after the inauguration on 10 February.
Metro officials are expecting the commuters to steadily grow as the service links Anna Salai to various private and government establishments. The ridership on Thursday was 88,259 compared to 6 May’s 92,917, which was the highest this month.