Whats happening regarding privatisation of MTC buses operation in Chennai?
Even with the availability of many other modes of transportation like MRTS, metro trains etc, the majority of the Chennai residents prefer MTC buses to reach their destinations in the city. The reason for that is that travelling in the MTC buses is cheap.
On Wednesday, 26th February 2025, members of CPM affiliated DYFI or Democratic Youth Federation of India held a demonstration against MTC`s decision. It must be noted that previously MTC has taken a decision of inviting tenders to buy 600 new electric buses under the Gross Cost Contract Model.
It is worthy to note that in Chennai MTC operates 3400 buses across 625 routes and serves 3.1million passengers every day. Mr. S. Karthick, DYFI state president mentioned that MTC has decided to privatise operations by handing over these buses to private entities.
Point is that under the GCC model electric buses are owned, maintained and operated by a private service provider for a specified rate per kilometre. The bus routes would be designated by MTC and conductors employed would collect fares.
It is known that MTC allows free travel by school students, senior persons and women etc under social welfare schemes. The impact of privatisation on the social welfare scheme has been questioned by the members of DYFI. As per a member of DYFI if public transport gets privatised then how could the above mentioned persons enjoy benefits etc. Truth is that only under the govt control, benefits would be possible
Beginning of larger privatisation agenda:
It has been brought out by the DYFI that the introduction of private operators in public transport would be the beginning of a larger privatisation agenda. Point is that the DYFI had cited the earlier plans by the govt to allow private mini buses in the suburban places. Concerns regarding employment opportunities, reservation policies etc plus whether the transport s services would operate on profit making motive rather than public service etc were raised.
The DYFI state president Mr. Karthick demanded MTC to scrap the tender and appoint drivers, conductors etc to fill up the vacancies.
