Chennai Ula Heritage Bus Service Launched Ahead of Pongal
The Minister for Transport and Electricity, Mr. S. S. Sivasankar, today (14.01.2026) flagged off and inaugurated “Chennai Ula”, a special hop-on hop-off heritage bus service operated by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) Chennai, at the Anna Square Bus Terminal.
Launched ahead of the Pongal festival, the service begins with an initial fleet of five vintage-style buses, inspired by the 1980s era, to showcase the evolution of Chennai’s public transport. The buses will operate on a 30 km circular route, connecting major historical, cultural, and recreational landmarks across the city.
The hop-on hop-off model allows passengers to board and alight at designated stops, making the service convenient for women, senior citizens, children, tourists, school groups, and persons with disabilities. A single-day unlimited travel ticket is priced at ₹50, with tickets available at Central and Egmore Railway Stations, Marina Beach, from bus conductors, and via the Chennai One app.
During the Pongal festival, the service will run from January 16 to 18, between 10:00 AM and 11:00 PM. On weekdays, buses will operate from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and on weekends and public holidays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM, at 30-minute intervals.
The inauguration was attended by Mr. Sunchongam Jatak Chiru, IAS, Principal Secretary, Transport Department; Dr. T. Prabhu Shankar, IAS, Managing Director, MTC; and other senior officials. The initiative aims to blend public transport with cultural tourism and promote similar heritage services in the future.
