Chennai: With Chennai Metro ridership stuck at around 3-3.2 lakh passengers daily, Tamil Nadu govt has accorded in-principle approval for the roll-out of first and last mile connectivity (FLMC) services around phase-I stations. Meanwhile, transport experts and commuters want this to be extended across all metro, suburban and MRTS stations and have stressed the need to create charging infrastructure in CMRL and suburban stations.In the initial phase, 11 key metro stations will be covered by a fleet of 220 feeder buses and vans, mostly electric, to plug last-mile gaps and draw commuters away from private vehicles. The initiative has been named ‘Metro at the Doorstep’. The order was issued by the planning, development and special initiatives department on Feb 18, 2026 following proposals from Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) and the Chennai unified metropolitan transport authority (CUMTA).“Inadequate first and last mile connectivity is a key deterrent preventing commuters from shifting from private vehicles to the metro system. As part of the FLMC plan, a fleet of 220 vehicles has been proposed-70 small buses with a seating capacity of 19 passengers each (plus driver) and 150 micro buses or vans with a capacity of 12 passengers each (plus driver),” said a CMRL official.Since CMRL is constrained from directly operating road-based public transport services under the Motor Vehicles Act, the services will be run through the metropolitan transport corporation (MTC) under a gross cost contract model. “While MTC will operate the services, CUMTA will handle route planning, service integration and coordination under its statutory mandate,” added the official.The 11 stations under the first phase are Thirumangalam, Vadapalani, Koyambedu, Guindy, Alandur, Meenambakkam, OTA Nanganallur, St Thomas Mount, Washermenpet, Wimco Nagar, and the airport. At present, there are 22 minibuses connecting these stations, but their frequency is one every 20 minutes. The new buses are expected to ply every five minutes,” he added. “It is encouraging that feeder services are being introduced to metro. It should also serve as feeder services for suburban railway stations and routes that are not uncovered by regular MTC buses. The existing routes of small buses should be reviewed and rationalised. There should be no duplication of routes between regular MTC and these small and micro buses,” K P Subramanian, former professor, urban engineering, Anna University.
