In Phase II, riders can sit in the metro train driver’s cabin

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel in the driver’s cabin of a metro rail train, given the landscape of the city?

According to Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) officials, since Phase II will have driverless trains, passengers can also be accommodated in the driver’s cabin.

“Until now, passengers have never seen the underground tunnels and tracks from the driver’s cabin and how the train reached a high level. Since the train will run at high altitudes in some areas and even above the flyover, it will be quite visible. An official said that many passengers would prefer to travel in the cabin and that is why we are considering this option.

Important equipment such as controls and emergency systems inside the cabin will be covered with a lock. Officials said there would also be an attendant in the event that the train stopped in the middle. “Passengers will first have to travel in these trains on the stretch between Poonamallee and Power House as it will be ready for operational in the other four years,” an official said.

Phase II trains will initially have three coaches and then six, a transition from the existing Phase I project where each train has four coaches. Construction work for tunnels, viaducts and stations for the Phase II project will begin this year.