NEED OF THE PROJECT

To wean away local commuters from passenger trains. Faster means of travel To avoid over crowding in express trains To provide better comfort to passengers Economic means of travel Better access for suburban passengers

FEATURES OF MEMU TRAIN

MEMU Main line Electrical Multiple Unit. A MEMU train comprises of 8-10 rakes Seating capacity about 1800. In a single coach 100 persons can sit and another 100 need to stand. Initial starting of a MEMU is much quicker (quick acceleration and deceleration) with a speed 90 kms per hour . Generally do not have toilets in it. Loco pilot cabins at both ends, so no need for shunting.

HISTORY OF THE PROJECT

Keralaites are depending largely on rail transport for passenger services. MEMU service was proposed to tap the benefit of electrification and immense passenger traffic potential. MEMU project plan in Kerala was approved in 2007. It was necessary to set up MEMU maintenance facilities at a central location to cater to need of people in Eranakulam Kottayam/Alleppey Trivandrum-Nagercoil-Kanyakumari sections. Kollam was selected as an ideal location for maintance shed considering its proximity to the end stations. Project was completed in 2011 and a year later the MEMU service was flagged off.

MEMU MAINTENANCE SHED, KOLLAM

Maintenance shed in Kollam started functioning on November 29, 2012. Implementation of the shed helped to reduce cost of taking the rakes to Pallakad for maintenance(Rs 50000 per trip) 210 m long, 15 m wide shed can take care of two trains at a time. The shed at Kollam has 4 times the facilities in Palakkad. The shed runs under the electrical wing and has 21 personnel. The service is done once in a week and includes thorough check and replacement of defective spares. Total cost of implementation was 17.05 crores.

SWOT ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Cost effective mode of transport for general public Reduce congestion in express trains Quick acceleration and deceleration eliminating time lag caused by frequent halts. Loco pilot cabin at both ends Spacious interior design.

WEAKNESSES

Less ridership than estimated Office going commuters not benefited due to inappropriate service timings. High initial development cost Lack of complete overhauling facilities in Kollam maintenance shed. Inadequate allocation of maintenance personnel.

OPPORTUNITIES

Potential to achieve higher ridership if train timings are revised Extension of the service to northern districts of Kerala Complete replacement of shuttle services Maximum use of the electrification facilities by increasing services Success of the project will encourage other Indian states to attempt the implementation of MEMU services.

THREATS

Extension to Northern districts will lag due to inadequate electrification. Increasing passenger fares will lead to popular dissent. Risk of cost overruns and ridership shortfalls. Red tapism may delay the future expansion of the project.

MEMU AN OVERVIEW
All the major cities in the country use this service. In Chennai and Mumbai, local trains bear a crucial number of ridership every day. In Kerala, the railways is implementing MEMU as a inter city transportation project. The major ridership will consist of short distance travelers who can reach their destinations at a minimal cost. However, since they run during office hours, MEMUs are not going to be of help to the daily office commuters. pto..

MEMU TRAIN SERVICE FROM ERNAKULAM

Chief minister Oommen Chandy inaugurated the muchawaited main line electrical multiple unit (MEMU) service at the Ernakulam South station .
Memu Train Ernakulam- Kollam shedule

As per the current schedule, one service (via Alappuzha) will begin from Kollam at 9am, reach Ernakulam by 1.15pm and will leave for Kollam at 2 pm. The other (via Kottayam) will begin at 10.05am from Kollam, reach city by 2.25pm and leave by 2.45 pm. Thousands of short distance passengers in the Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha and Kollam will benefit from the service.

Memu train have stops at all stations and the running time between Kollam-Ernakulam will be 4 hours and 20 minutes. The brand new cars(Memu trains in Ernakulum) have toilets, unlike MEMUs operating in other States. MEMU service between Palakkad and Coimbatore be extended to Ernakulam through Thrissur, benefitting thousands of commuters who travel through congested highways.

MEMU TRAIN SERVICE FROM ERNAKULAM ROUTE AND TIMINGS

Train No. 66300/301- (Kollam- Kottayam- Ernakulam Memu) Except saturdaysKollam Departure10.05 Ernakulam Arrival 14.25 Return- Dep. Ernakulam 14.45 Kollam Arrival 18.45

Train No. 66302/303 (Kollam- Alappuzha-Ernakulam Memu) Except Mondays Kollam Departure 09.00 Ernakulam Arrival 13.15 Return Dep. Ernakulam 14.00 Kollam Arrival 18.15
Memu Trains with eight Coaches will have ladies coaches, Ist and 2nd and ordinary classes.