MTC proposes to boost fleet with new buses

Sources said that officials received a series of complaints from passengers in the recent past regarding the poor condition of the buses. They included breakdowns, tyre bursts, break failures and technical problems. 

Sources added that the MTC is currently operating around 3,190 buses, out of which 80 per cent are either outdated or unfit. There were also allegations that MTC was operating ‘unfit’ deluxe and semi-low floor buses as ‘ordinary buses’. When DTNext contacted, a senior MTC official on condition of anonymity, said that they were aware of the problem. 

“We will float a tender to procure new vehicles including ordinary, deluxe and semi-low floor buses. We will buy around 1,000 buses in the first phase, after which most of the outdated ones will be replaced,” the official said. 

A Soundararajan, president, Tamil Nadu State Transport Employees Federation, said “Due to the pathetic condition of MTC buses, the drivers find it difficult to drive the vehicles and suffer a lot physically. Even worse, these buses do not undergo maintenance works regularly.” 

Daniel Robinson, Programme Manager, Chennai City Connect, an NGO says, “It is a plain fact that in such a big city, public transport should be in proper manner. Going by the present scenario, about 80 per cent of the MTC buses being operated in the city have crossed their seven-year-period of life, which is not good. Further, the officials should periodically replace the outdated buses and maintenance works should be carried out at regular intervals.”