CHENNAI: The city’s newly-launched AC double-decker electric bus service will operate daily with tickets priced at Rs 50. The service aims to promote eco-friendly public transport while showcasing key heritage and tourism sites.
According to a Daily Thanthi report, the service will operate from 10 am to 10 pm on weekdays and from 4 pm to 10 pm on weekends. A bus will arrive every 30 minutes at the boarding point, the Tamil Nadu Tourism Complex on Wallajah Road near Kalaivanar Arangam.
Chief Minister MK Stalin recently inaugurated the service at the Chennai Trade Centre during the World Tamil Diaspora Day 2026 celebrations. The bus, costing Rs 1.89 crore, was donated to the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) by Ashok Leyland, Switch Mobility, and Tamil NRIs in the United States. TTDC now operates the service.
The red-coloured bus has been designed to highlight Tamil culture and heritage, featuring images of the Brihadeeswarar Temple, the Marina Lighthouse, the Ripon Building and a Jallikattu bull tamer. The slogan 'Long Live Tamil' appears on both sides.
The sightseeing tour covers TTDC headquarters, LIC building, Spencer Plaza, Makkan Masjid, P Orr and Sons Watch Tower, Pallavan Salai, Bodyguard Muneeswarar Temple, RA Mandram, Madras High Court, Secretariat, Reserve Bank of India, Chennai Port, Victory War Memorial, Napier Bridge, memorials of CN Annadurai, M Karunanidhi, MGR and J Jayalalithaa, Marina Beach, Light House, Pattinapakkam Beach, Santhome Basilica, All India Radio, Police Commissioner’s Office, Queen Mary’s College, Vivekananda House, Presidency College, Ezhilagam, University of Madras, Doordarshan Kendra, Rajaji Hall, Omandurar GH.
The return journey will bring passengers back to the TTDC office starting point, via the DGP office.
TTDC is also planning a second route from Chennai to Mamallapuram via Dakshina Chitra and Muttukadu.
The Metropolitan Transport Corporation plans to procure 20 AC electric double-decker buses under a gross cost contract model. The operator will own, run and maintain the buses for 12 years, while MTC will collect ticket revenue and pay the operator on a per-kilometre basis. Officials said double-deckers will be deployed only on routes with adequate vertical clearance, as low bridges, overhead cables, and other obstructions limit their operation.
Chennai’s association with double-decker buses dates back to the 1970s. After being discontinued in the 1980s, they returned in 1997 on the High Court to Tambaram route and operated until 2008. The new electric fleet marks the city’s first revival of double-decker services in 17 years.
(With inputs from Bureau)