Chennai gets its first air-conditioned EMU train service
The Hindu
In a significant initiative aimed at providing a hassle-free travel experience for passengers, Southern Railway on Saturday (April 19, 2025) introduced the first air-conditioned EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) train service in Chennai, on the Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu section.
In a significant initiative aimed at providing a hassle-free travel experience for passengers, Southern Railway on Saturday (April 19, 2025) introduced the first air-conditioned EMU (Electric Multiple Unit) train service in Chennai, on the Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu section. While the minimum fare is fixed at ₹35, passengers will have to pay ₹85 to travel from Chennai Beach to Tambaram and ₹105 to Chengalpattu.
The AC EMU service was first introduced in the Mumbai suburban railway, which has witnessed steady patronage among commuters, particularly office-goers and women. The Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu section of the Chennai suburban railway sees high footfall, and the AC EMU service will be a boon for commuters during peak hours and in the hot and humid weather.
The modern AC EMU rake, equipped with better facilities for passengers, including automatic doors, passenger information systems, CCTV cameras, and well-marked entry/exit points, is a milestone in enhancing passenger comfort, Southern Railway said.
The first AC EMU train chugged out from Chennai Beach at 7:05 a.m. on Saturday, reaching Tambaram at 7:42 a.m. and Chengalpattu at 8:35 a.m. In the return direction, it departed from Chengalpattu at 9 a.m. and reached Chennai Beach at 10 a.m.
In the evening, the train departs from Chennai Beach at 3:45 p.m. and arrives at Chengalpattu at 5:25 p.m. While returning, it leaves Chengalpattu at 5:45 p.m. and reaches Chennai Beach at 7:15 p.m.
The Tambaram-Chennai Beach-Tambaram air-conditioned EMU service has also commenced. It will depart at 5:45 a.m. from Tambaram and reach Chennai Beach at 6:45 a.m. In the evening, the train departs from Chennai Beach at 7:35 p.m. and reaches Tambaram at 8:35 p.m. Both services are operated in both directions.
While many commuters welcomed the new service, there are also demands to increase the frequency of the service and reduce the fare.
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