The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Now better patronage for West Coast Express

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 09, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Now better patronage for West Coast Express

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, SEPT. 8. Passenger patronage has improved substantially after the change in arrival and departure timings of train no 2667/2668 West Coast Express between Chennai Central and Mangalore from both ends.

The timings have been revised since September 1 to suit the convenience of passengers of North Malabar, who had been demanding an overnight service between Chennai and Mangalore for a long time.

While there is 50 per cent improvement in earnings between Mangalore and Chennai, it is 34 per cent between Chennai and Mangalore in the first week of September compared to the same period last year.

Moreover, by diverting the train via Podanur, just six km away from Coimbatore, the total distance has been reduced by 17 km, according to Southern Railway sources.

They said for the convenience of Coimbatore passengers who were hitherto utilising the service of the West Coast Express for proceeding to and from Mangalore, Southern Railway had revised the timing of train no 6667/6668 Tiruchi-Mangalore Express, which now runs on the same timings of the erstwhile West Coast Express. Those from Tirupur could also make use of the train as it had convenient timings for up and down services.

"For the convenience of passengers who are proceeding to Chennai from Coimbatore, the composition of train no 2679/2680 Chennai Central-Coimbatore Inter-city Express has been augmented by two additional sitting coaches."

So, the speeding up of the West Coast Express is done without affecting the interest of the passengers of Coimbatore, a railway release said.

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