MTC to experiment route rationalisation move from March

MTC officials point out that such a mechanism would lead to increase in number of services in accordance to the need and patronage. However, they ruled out operation of additional services and the scheme would likely be on roads from March 1. 

Route rationalisation (RR) project is based on the need to improve the bus network system in Chennai. Officials said the project was aimed at increasing both commuter satisfaction and the profit to the transport corporation. 

Under this initiative, services would be operated on longroutes. MTC has continuously been making efforts to improve public transport system and was contemplating projects like bus rapid transit system (BRTS) and route rationalisation. Though the BRTS project would take a few more months, route rationalisation would be possible from March.  

A senior MTC official said “All preliminary work for the RR project has almost been completed. We have covered all aspects of it and identified certain long-routes after a thorough study. However, additional buses will not be operated, instead some buses will be diverted to the areas, where the patronage is more.” The official also clarified that the service to commuters would not be affected in any way. 

“The current mismatch between the supply and demand of buses in Chennai is around 5000,” said Daniel Robinson, Programme Manager, Chennai City Connect, who is studying this project. Even within the current route network, the organisation is working with the MTC to actively analyse the ticketing machine data to suggest modifications to the routes, he said. 

“For instance, some of the direct consequences of this analyses has been routes 570S, 19B, 102 cut service, and pretty much most buses that terminate at Siruseri IT Park,” he added. 

Since such a system would focus only on revenue, commuters from short-route areas would be affected. Moreover, the MTC has no additional buses, pointed out P Viswanathan, convener, Chitlapakkam Residents Association. He added that suburbs would be one of the worst-hit, if such a project was implemented.