When phase-2 Metrorail trains start running in 2025, passengers can seamlessly switch from metro trains to MTC buses, suburban and MRTS trains, or Metrorail phase-1 lines, as Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) is planning to have multi-modal hubs in 23 locations. These hubs are planned as part of the 116.1km phase-2 network and will be in stages from 2025 to 2028.
In Thiruvanmiyur and Thirumayilai, the metro stations will be linked to the MRTS stations, while in Mandaveli and Madhavaram, the metro stations will be linked to bus depots. There will be nine hubs on the 45.4km corridor-3 from Madhavaram to Siruseri Sipcot. They will come up at Thiruvanmiyur, Adyar bus depot, Mandaveli, Thirumayilai, Chetpet, Ayanavaram, Perambur suburbs, Kilpauk, and Thousand Lights.
On the 26.1km corridor-4 from Lighthouse to Poonamallee Bypass, there will be five hubs in Kodambakkam, Iyyappanthangal, Poonamallee bus terminus, Nandanam, and Vadapalani.
On the 44.6km corridor-5, there will be nine hubs at Madhavaram bus terminus, Villivakkam bus terminus, Anna Nagar, Koyambedu, Alandur, St ThoVillivakkamVanuvampet, and Kilkattalai.
Officials said the plan is to make switching between different facilities hassle-free by bringing all modes of transport closer to each other. In phase 1, MTC bus stops were shifted closer to some metro stations.“We have planned facilities such as covered walkways, passages, lifts, escalators, parking, signage, and kiosks at these hubs,” said CMRL spokesperson L Girirajan.
However, commuters still find it a hassle to switch to other transport modes from the existing hubs in Phase 1. At Guindy, passengers must walk a long distance to get to the bus stop from the metro station. Standard last-mile connectivity is still absent across all 41 metro stations.
Recently, CMRL floated tenders to modernize and redevelop MTC bus depot cum terminuses with space for commercial development as part of plans to integrate them with the phase-2 stations. In October 2022, CMRL initiated efforts to design and construct a multimodal facility complex at the Broadway bus stand with facilities such as bus bays, commercial spaces, parking spaces for government and private buses, and vehicles for commuters on 4.42-acre land.“The multimodal hub will include an intermodal transport facility with an interchanging hub for intercity and intracity buses and other facilities approved by GCC,” Girirajan said.