Title - Metro: Passengers will have to wait only 90 seconds between trains

With the Rs 19,000 crore project of Metro-link Express for Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad (MEGA) adopting the communication-based train control (CBTC) technology, commuters of this train will experience minimum waiting time and maximum average speed per hour when it starts in 2017.The CBTC technology will offer train commuters the fastest frequency in the world. The company has safely reduced the headway (the time difference between two trains) to 90 seconds, which is the shortest in the world, an official said here on Monday.MEGA is the first Metro company to adopt the driver-less train technology in India. CBTC makes the brake system completely computerised, thus reducing the time difference between two trains. It makes the journey faster and safer for commuters as the waiting time on platforms is also reduced. Driver-less trains will also eliminate the human-error factor, which causes accidents. Other Metro projects in India have headway of at least 180 seconds.

In addition to this, MEGA has secured approval for the usage of broad-gauge tracks for the Metro which will translate into larger size of the rolling stock. Each bogey will have a capacity of 400 passengers compared to the average 250, in other Metro projects. Thus a four-bogey Metro train will carry 1,600 passengers, unlike other Metros in India carrying 1,500 passengers in six-bogey trains.

With a maximum speed of 110 km/hour and an average speed of 40 km/hr, MEGA will be able to transport more commuters in a shorter span of time, resulting in larger revenue. MEGA will have less energy consumption (traction power) compared to other Metro trains.

For the passengers’ safety, MEGA will install safety glass panels on the platform (Platform Screen Door/Gates) and faster circulation of passengers will make the journey a comfortable experience for its commuters. This will prevent accidental falls off the platform onto the track area because of restricted access to the tracks and tunnels area. Platform screen doors will improve climate control within the station and also improve the sound quality of the platform announcements.

MEGA will also provide a high speed Wi-Fi Internet services on the go .