12,624 buses for Pongal rush

A total of 482 special buses would leave for all the capitals of districts on January 9, while 504 buses would depart on January 10. Likewise, on January 11, a total of 365 special buses would be operated and there would be 539 buses, which would be operational on January 12, a statement by Jayalalithaa said. A  total of 1,345 special buses will be operated on January 13 and 1,447 on January 14 respectively. A total of 4,682 would be operated. 

The Chief Minister mentioned in a statement on Thursday that special buses would be operated from other important towns. According to the statement, a total of 516 special buses would also be operated on January 9, 608 buses on January 10, 621 buses on January 11, 892 buses on January 12, 2,080 buses on January 13 and 7, 942 buses on January 14 respectively. So, a total of 7,942 special buses would be operational from January 9 to 14. 

In all, the TNSTC would operate 12,624 special buses for Pongal festival. Further, in order to ease the journey after Pongal, the same number of buses would be operated from January 15 to 19, the statement said. 

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) would also operate 600 special buses in the city. 

Interestingly, the MTC would operate additional 200 special buses on account of Kaanum Pongal and those buses would ply to Marina beach, Vandaloor and Mahabalipuram, the statement said. 

Moreover, those passengers who can travel beyond 300 km could book tickets through website: www.tnstc.in Further, bus passengers could also reserve in 25 special counters in CMBT. 

“I have instructed officials concerned to ensure that the private buses collect prescribed fares, and passengers can make complaints in case of fleecing  by dialling 044-24794709,” the Chief Minister’s  statement said.