CHENNAI: The State Transport Corporations will operate special buses in addition to regular services for the Christmas festival and the extended weekend, according to the Managing Director of the State Express Transport Corporation.

With increased passenger movement expected across Tamil Nadu on December 23-25, authorities have planned additional services from Chennai and other cities.

Special arrangements are aimed at easing congestion and meeting the anticipated surge in demand during the festive period. From Kilambakkam, 255 special buses will be operated on December 23, and 525 buses on December 24 to destinations including Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchy, Kumbakonam, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Kanniyakumari, Thoothukudi, Coimbatore, Salem, Erode and Tirupur.

From the Koyambedu bus terminus, 91 special buses will be operated on December 23 and 24 to Tiruvannamalai, Nagapattinam, Velankanni, Hosur and Bengaluru, with return services also planned from these locations. Additionally, 20 special buses will be operated from Madhavaram on both days.

To facilitate the return of passengers to Chennai and Bengaluru after the holidays, special buses will also be operated from various parts of TN based on demand.

Advance bookings indicate heavy travel during the period. As many as 20,107 passengers have booked tickets for December 23, followed by 21,206 on December 24. For the post-Christmas period, 7,578 passengers have booked for December 26, around 5,972 for December 27 and 14,256 for December 28.

Passengers travelling long distances have been advised to make advance reservations through www.tnstc.in or the mobile application to avoid last-minute rush.