Home for Pongal? Chennai Launches Special Bus Services from Key Terminals
Pongal Special Buses Begin Operations in Chennai
Know Where to Board Your Bus to Your Hometown
On the occasion of the Pongal festival, the Tamil Nadu Transport Department has announced the operation of 34,087 special buses to facilitate smooth and safe travel for passengers heading to their hometowns.
To manage the heavy festive rush, special buses will operate from three major bus terminals in Chennai.
Major Bus Terminals in Chennai
- Kilambakkam Bus Terminus
- Koyambedu Bus Terminus
- Madhavaram New Bus Terminus
Special Bus Operations (January – Pongal Travel)
From today until January 14:
- 2,092 regular buses will operate daily
- 10,245 special buses will be operated from Chennai over six days
From other districts across Tamil Nadu:
- 11,290 special buses
Total buses for Pongal travel: 34,087
Return Journey Arrangements (January 16 – 19)
From Chennai:
- 2,092 regular buses per day
- 6,820 special buses
From other districts:
- 9,820 special buses
Total buses for return travel: 25,008
Multiple Terminals to Reduce Traffic Congestion
To avoid traffic congestion within Chennai city, buses will operate from multiple terminals with route-wise allocation.
Bus Routes by Terminal
Kilambakkam Bus Terminus – Services to:
Puducherry, Cuddalore, Chidambaram
Trichy, Madurai, Thoothukudi, Sengottai, Tirunelveli
Salem, Coimbatore, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur
Kilambakkam City Bus Terminal – Services to:
Vandavasi, Polur, Tiruvannamalai
Koyambedu Bus Terminus – Services to:
East Coast Road routes
Kanchipuram, Vellore, Tiruttani
Bengaluru
Madhavaram New Bus Terminus – Services to:
Andhra Pradesh routes via Ponneri and Uthukottai
Regular services to Trichy, Salem, Kumbakonam, Tiruvannamalai
Ticket Booking Details
Passengers can book tickets through:
- Official website: www.tnstc.in
- TNSTC official mobile application
- WhatsApp booking number: 94440 18898
Reservation counters are available at Kilambakkam and Koyambedu bus terminals.
Counter timings: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Know Your Bus Facility
Passengers can check bus platform details one hour in advance using the “Know Your Bus” facility.
Helpline and Complaint Numbers
24-hour Transport Helpline: 94450 14436
Omni bus overcharging toll-free number: 1800 425 6151
Additional complaint numbers:
044-24749002
044-26280445
044-26281611
A 24-hour control room has been set up to address public grievances.
City Bus Connectivity
City buses will operate 24 hours a day between Koyambedu, Kilambakkam, and Madhavaram bus terminals to assist passengers.
