Routes, rakes, and ridership woes: Chennai lines up second AC suburban train for 2026

Chennai is preparing to roll out its second fully air-conditioned suburban train by early 2026, aiming to upgrade commuter comfort and meet growing expectations for modern rail travel across the city’s busiest corridors.

The first AC EMU on the Beach–Tambaram–Chengalpattu section sees only around 2,800 daily travellers, a small fraction of its potential to handle over 40,000 riders, indicating a significant shortfall in utilisation.

Southern Railway is examining whether the new 12-coach unit should serve the Chennai Central–Arakkonam line or the Gummidipoondi section, with the final choice depending on schedule flexibility and infrastructure readiness.

The AC train cannot be deployed on the Beach–Velachery MRTS route because several stops on that stretch are built for shorter nine-coach formations, making it incompatible with the longer rake’s operational requirements.

Integral Coach Factory has rolled out the upgraded AC rake, which will now undergo performance evaluations, safety assessments and trial runs by Southern Railway before it is cleared for daily passenger operations.

Commuters point to elevated ticket charges as the primary deterrent, noting that metro fares for similar distances are considerably lower despite offering superior amenities, reliability and passenger convenience. ( AI image)

Civic groups emphasise that even the faster Vande Metro service provides more cost-effective travel over comparable distances, widening the price gap and raising concerns about the value offered by AC suburban trains. ( AI image)

Transport observers argue that aligning AC suburban fares with metro-level pricing could encourage more passengers to shift to rail, helping improve ridership while easing road congestion across the city.