Commuters using Chennai Metro Rail would soon be able to buy food and beverages from the outlets in the station premises using their Metro travel card. This plan, as per reports, comes closely on the heels of Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) accepting parking payments through metro cards.
The intention of launching this service is to enable people to swipe their travel cards at the outlets of popular eateries in busy stations like Alandur and Koyambedu. It is also targeted at saving time for commuters who are in a rush.
The decision to integrate food and beverage purchase with the metro card comes at a time when the CMRL is negotiating to introduce the metro card as a common mobility card in Chennai, which would help users travel in any mode of public transport with the same card as a payment option. The CMRL is reportedly in talks with the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) and Southern Railway which operates the suburban and the MRTS train services between Velachery and Chennai Beach. Trial runs between metro services and MTC using the smart card have been successful. However, it is yet to be implemented.
As of now, metro users can use the smart card to pay at the stations, parking lots and while using the CMRL feeder services.
Recently, the CMRL introduced feeder services at a flat rate of Rs 10 between metro stations and various pickup points in the city. These feeder services will work within a radius of 6-8 kilometres from the stations and will have at least five pickup points. The commuters can book a seat on the pickup service using a mobile app and pay for it upfront or when the trip is completed. The service has been planned in collaboration with Bengaluru Megacabs Private Limited.