Coimbatore: Patronage has gone up well for the weekly Tirunelveli-Mettupalayam special fare train to operate on Thursday.
The train (number 06030) departs at 7.00 pm and reaches Mettupalayam station at 7.30 am the next day. The two AC three-tier coaches have come in for appreciation from passengers.
Satheesh, a regular traveler from Kadayanallur to Coimbatore, said, “Though not many people board the train at Tirunelveli Junction, the high number of stations in the train ensures strong patronage.”
The train stoppages are at Cheranmahadevi, Ambasamudram, Kizhakadiyam, Paruchhatram, Tenkasi, Kadayanallur, Sankarankovil, Rajapalayam, Srivilliputhur Sivakasi, Virudhunagar Junction, Madurai Junction, Dindigul Junction, Oddanchathiram, Palani, Udumalpet, Pollachi, Kinatukkadavu, Podanur Junction and Coimbatore Junction.
The train was introduced during April 2022 to manage the summer rush. According to rail users, the train provides the much-needed connectivity to Coimbatore from the southern districts.
The train service which was started for optimum utilization of idle rakes was stopped on 18th August, 2022 and resumed from 1st September, 2022 in deference to the pleas of the traveling public. The Railways included Podanur Junction in the list of stoppages due to demands from the traveling public.