Metro Timetable
Chennai Metro Yellow Line Trains to Start at 6 am From 23 October 2026
Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has brought forward the first train on the Phase II Corridor 4 (Yellow Line) between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani to 6 am, one hour earlier than the 7 am start it had set. The revised timetable takes effect today, Friday 23 October 2026, as of 23 October 2026.
| First train (from 23 Oct 2026) | 6 am, in both directions, replacing the earlier 7 am start |
|---|---|
| Stretch and length | Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani via Porur, about 15 km |
| Stations | 11 elevated stations |
| Operating hours | 6 am to 9 pm; last trains leave both terminals at 9 pm |
| Weekday and Saturday frequency | Every 10 minutes from 8 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 8 pm; every 15 minutes at other times |
| Sunday and public holiday frequency | Every 15 minutes from 6 am to 9 pm, with no separate peak schedule |
| Announcing body | Chennai Metro Rail Limited, announced via its official X account on 21 October 2026 |
| Regular passenger services began | 11 October 2026 |
What changed
Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) has moved the start of passenger services on the Phase II Corridor 4, or Yellow Line, between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani to 6 am. Until now the first train was scheduled for 7 am. CMRL said the change followed feedback from commuters and was meant to make early-morning travel towards both Vadapalani and Poonamallee easier.
CMRL's official X account published the revised timings on 21 October 2026. The new first train runs from Friday, 23 October 2026.
The revised timetable
Services run from 6 am to 9 pm in both directions, and the last train leaves both the Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani terminals at 9 pm.
- Weekdays and Saturdays, peak: a train every 10 minutes from 8 am to 11 am and from 5 pm to 8 pm.
- Weekdays and Saturdays, non-peak: a train every 15 minutes from 6 am to 8 am, 11 am to 5 pm and 8 pm to 9 pm.
- Sundays and public holidays: a train every 15 minutes from 6 am to 9 pm, with no separate peak schedule.
Earlier published timings for the 11 October launch showed the non-peak window starting at 7 am. The 6 am start replaces that window.
Background: the stretch opened on 11 October
Regular passenger services on the Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani stretch started on 11 October 2026. Opening-day services ran from 4 pm to 9 pm. From 12 October, trains ran from 7 am to 9 pm, which was the schedule the 6 am revision now replaces.
The 15 km elevated corridor has 11 stations: Poonamallee Bypass, Poonamallee Bus Stand, Poonamallee Government Hospital, Karayanchavadi, Kumananchavadi, Kattupakkam, Iyyappanthangal, Thelliyaragaram, Porur Bypass, Porur Junction and Vadapalani. Vadapalani is the western terminus of this stretch and an interchange with the Green Line.
Commuter reaction
Before the 6 am change, commuters on social media criticised the limited operating hours and asked CMRL to start earlier and run services until 11 pm. Some commuters also raised concerns about the 9 pm last train. The 6 am start answers the early-morning part of that feedback. The published timings keep the 9 pm last train, so the later-evening request has not been met in the announced schedule.
What it changes for commuters and investors
For commuters, the change adds an hour of service at the start of the day. The corridor connects Poonamallee with Vadapalani through Porur and several residential and commercial areas, and the earlier start is aimed at people travelling to work, schools and other early destinations.
The schedule change alters service hours only. It does not change the route, the station list or the line's length.
What happens next
The 6 am first train applies from today, 23 October 2026. Peak and non-peak frequencies stay as listed above unless CMRL publishes a further revision. Commuter demand for an 11 pm last train remains open, and the published schedule currently ends at 9 pm.
Frequently asked questions
From when does the 6 am start apply?
The revised first train runs from Friday, 23 October 2026, according to CMRL's announcement of 21 October 2026.
What was the start time before the change?
The earlier planned first train was at 7 am, and the 6 am time replaces it.
How often do trains run on weekdays?
Trains run every 10 minutes from 8 am to 11 am and from 5 pm to 8 pm on weekdays and Saturdays. At other times, including 6 am to 8 am, the frequency is every 15 minutes.
What are the Sunday and public holiday timings?
Trains run every 15 minutes from 6 am to 9 pm on Sundays and public holidays, with no separate peak-hour schedule.
When is the last train?
The last train leaves both Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani at 9 pm.
How many stations are on the Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani stretch?
The stretch has 11 elevated stations between Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani, passing through Porur.