Coimbatore: The Coimbatore-Mettupalayam passenger train service has been extended to Sundays. The new service, which has been a long-pending demand of passengers and rail activists, will commence from February 16. With this, the train will run on all the 7 days of a week. It is to be noted that the railway had earlier hesitated to extend the service, thinking there won’t be much patronage on non-working days.Sticking to its usual schedule, the train will run four to and fro trips between the city junction and Mettupalayam station on Sundays as well. It will have four stops at Coimbatore North, Thudiyalur, Periyanaickenpalayam and Karamadai. Tickets will be priced at Rs 10 for one-way trip. The Coimbatore-Mettupalayam passenger train benefits hundreds of students and professionals, who travel between the city and Periyanaickenpalayam, and Mettupalayam and Periyanaickenpalayam during the working days.The train is considered faster, safer and cheaper, compared to local buses. “The train takes just 55 minutes to reach to Mettupalayam from the city during peak traffic hours, while buses or cars take at least 1.5 hours,” said A Murali, an accountant with a private firm in the city. “While public buses charge Rs 15, private buses charge up to Rs 20 for a trip. At Rs 10, the train ticket is priced comparatively low and it is more convenient when you go for a season ticket.”Railway officials said the passenger train enjoys 100% occupancy in the morning and evening trips and more than 90% (occupancy) during afternoon trips. “The continuous demand to extend the service to Sunday and high occupancy during non-peak hours have prompted us to finally extend the service to Sundays as well,” said a railway official.Rail activists had been demanding for extension of services to Sundays, because many people travel between the suburbs to attend church, sports practice sessions and go to hospitals. This apart, there is a section of people who travel for other purposes. “Sundays are not traffic-free and the fact that there is a bus every four minutes explains this. The train will take just eight minutes to cover the distance between Coimbatore North and Thudiyalur, while other means of transport will take more time,” said Jameel Ahmed, president of Rail Passengers’ Welfare Association.

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