Chennai Metro to Discontinue Monthly Parking Passes and Travel Card Top-Ups
In a significant development that is likely to impact thousands of daily commuters, Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has announced the discontinuation of two key services—monthly parking passes and the top-up facility for its Travel card—effective from February 1, 2025. The decision, according to a statement from CMRL, comes as a response to increasing demand for parking space at Metro stations. As of now, parking spaces at all Metro stations will be available strictly on a first-come-first-serve basis, with no priority given to those holding monthly passes.
Existing monthly parking pass holders who have purchased the passes for January 2025 will still be able to use them until their validity expires. However, no new monthly parking passes will be issued from February onward. The move reflects the growing pressure on Metro station parking lots, with the rise in Metro ridership and an increasing number of private vehicles entering the city. CMRL has made it clear that parking availability will now depend solely on space availability, thus limiting convenience for long-term commuters who previously relied on the fixed, prepaid parking slots.
In addition to the parking changes, CMRL is also taking a major step in its transition towards a unified digital ticketing system. The Metro operator plans to discontinue the top-up facility for its existing Travel cards by April 1, 2025. This move aligns with the introduction of the Singara Chennai Card-National Common Mobility Card (SC-NCMC), which has been in circulation since April 2023. The SC-NCMC, issued by the State Bank of India, is expected to become the sole method for smart card-based payments at Chennai Metro stations in the coming months.
The phased implementation of this change will begin with the discontinuation of top-ups at select stations, including New Washermenpet, Kaladipet, Tiruvottiyur, and Meenambakkam, among others. Passengers using the Travel card at these stations will be advised to exhaust the remaining balance on their cards by using the Metro service or parking facilities before switching to the Singara Chennai card. CMRL plans to gradually extend this transition to all 41 Metro stations in the city. This shift is being implemented in line with a larger national move towards creating a seamless, interoperable transport system under the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) framework, which aims to simplify payments across different modes of transport, from buses to trains and Metro systems.
From a civic and sustainability perspective, CMRL’s move towards a unified card system and parking management could contribute significantly to reducing the congestion around Metro stations. The transition to a more streamlined, digital payment method aligns with the city’s efforts to modernise its public transport infrastructure. While these changes might present initial challenges for commuters accustomed to the existing system, they also signal an important step towards making Chennai’s public transportation more integrated and efficient.
Furthermore, the focus on optimising parking space availability underscores the need for more sustainable transport solutions in Chennai. With increasing urbanisation and the rising demand for greener transportation options, these changes represent part of the city’s broader strategy to reduce traffic congestion and promote the use of public transit over private vehicles. If executed effectively, the shift to the Singara Chennai Card and the move to improve parking management could help streamline commuter experience, cut down on traffic jams, and provide a more environmentally friendly solution for daily travellers.
