On Monday, Chennai Metro Rail and long-distance buses across districts in Tamil Nadu resumed operating. This comes after over five months of a halt due to COVID-19 lockdown, and cessations in March to passenger train and bus systems.

Industries Minister M C Sampath was among those who boarded the Washermenpet train (07:00 am), and he travelled up to Nandanam station.

To help passengers on and off the train while maintaining social distancing with proper air circulation, train stoppage at stations is now 50 seconds rather than 20 seconds. Alternate seats are assigned stickers to mention the rules of social distancing.

The Metrorail, which has initiated operations in the Blueline between Airport and Washermanpet via Anna Salai, services in the Greenline from St Thomas Mount to MGR Central Metro would start from September 9.

Previous authority announcement stated service availability till 8 pm and no inter-corridor movement between Central Metro and Airport stations, with passengers to make plans accordingly.

Improvement of online reservations is being focused on.

Aside Chennai and nearby three districts, interzonal (each zone comprises a number of nearby districts) bus transport that commenced on June 1 were suspended on June 26. Later, as part of relaxations, the government had allowed buses within districts from September 1 and from now on, bus services have been resumed in a full-fledged manner.

Also, trains within Tamil Nadu including the daily Chennai-Coimbatore Intercity, Chennai Egmore TiruchchirappalliChennai Egmore and Coimbatore- Mayiladuthurai-Coimbatore Janshatabdi Special (except Tuesdays) resumed services.

The General Manager, Southern Railway on his twitter handle said: “573 passengers were on board Special Train No. 02636 Madurai – Chennai Egmore special train, the first fully reserved train to leave Madurai as part of #Unlock4 – All the laid down safety protocols were duly adhered – RPF and frontline staff were deployed to guide passengers.”

The Southern Railway, following a request of the state government, had on June 27 announced the cancellation of special trains (including Tiruchirappalli-Chengelpet-Tiruchirappalli Superfast Intercity Express, and Coimbatore-Mayiladuthurai- Coimbatore Janshatabdi) within Tamil Nadu.

Due to the COVID-19 spread, trains were despite not connecting Chennai to other destinations in Tamil Nadu and vice-versa. Special trains that linked Chennai to Delhi were operated.