Kumari Palany & Co

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In Chennai, MTC buses to be increased for the sake of new curbs

Posted on: 10/Apr/2021 9:51:23 AM
There would be 300 to 400 more MTC buses that would be operated in the Chennai city and its suburbs for the passengers. By this, the scheduled number of bus services would be increased to 2750 from Saturday. Inside the buses, there would be 44 seated passengers and 25 standing passengers.

It is known that the TN government has banned standing travel in the buses. There would be additional buses operated on routes like Chengalpet, Guduvanchery, Tambaram , Kelambakkam, Semmencheri, Perumbakkam, Manali, Kannagi Nagar, Perambur , Ambattur, Avadi, Tiruvottiyur and Red Hills.

Even though the number of passengers travelling on buses has come down, MTC has been operating 2300 to 2350 buses a day. It must be noted that before the Covid-19 pandemic the city buses used to cater 35 lakh passengers per day. It is now said that post Covid-19 when MTC buses began operating from September 2020 just 15lakhs passengers travelled daily.

It was brought out by a source from MTC that after the north Chennai metro line was opened MTC lost its daily passengers. In addition, the closure of educational institutions has also led to a fall of number of passengers per day to 18 lakhs. Truth is that to make the travel safe for the passengers amidst increase in Covid-19 cases the number of MTC buses would be increased in Chennai.

Even if MTC operates its full fleet strength of 3476 buses it would not be enough in the peak hours. This was according to the union leader in MTC.