Chennai to Get 220 Electric Microbuses for Metro Connectivity by July 2026
In a major step to enhance last-mile connectivity for Chennai Metro commuters, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) plans to roll out 220 air-conditioned electric microbuses by July 2026.
The microbuses, operating every five minutes within a 5-km radius of Metro stations, aim to provide a “Metro-like experience” for passengers and encourage private vehicle users to switch to public transport.
A pre-tender consultation was recently held with OEMs like Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors, and Olectra to assess available models of 5-metre and 6-metre electric buses.
Out of the proposed fleet, 110 low-floor buses will be accessible for persons with disabilities, while others will serve standard routes. Each vehicle will include AC, CCTV, GPS, panic buttons, automatic fare collection, and passenger information systems.
The services will operate under a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model, with MTC managing operations through depots at Koyambedu, Saidapet, Wimco Nagar, and Pallavaram.
