MTC's Busload of problems

With the announcement of introduction of electric buses, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) is taking yet another initiative to make public transport an attractive proposition. The recent announcement by state transport minister MR Vijayabhaskar might have brought cheer to Chennaites, but whether MTC will operate such buses in a proper manner remains to be seen. 

“It is feasible that the city can have electric buses. However, proper study should be conducted before operation of such services,” said Aswathy Dilip, programme manager, Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP). Though electric buses are expensive,  she said such buses could replace ageing MTC buses. However, there are serious concerns over MTC’s ability to deliver on modern technology. Many of its old schemes, like operation of air-conditioned buses, installation of Global Position System (GPS) in the bus shelters and hydraulic lifts in buses for the disabled have completely failed, with many terming them a waste of the taxpayers’ money. 

A/C buses remain invisible in the city: Launched in 2007 the government deployed 100 buses. However, MTC suspended many services citing revenue loss and only a few  number of buses were operated in the longroute section. Adding to the woes, many of these buses were not maintained properly and around 50 buses—nearly half the fleet - were unfit. MTC officials, who claimed that around 70 buses would be in service during peak summer failed to match their words with action. “I used to wait to take an a/c bus, but often the air conditioning system would not work., while the seats and floor of the buses are often broken,” said S Rajendran, a techie who regularly takes the bus from T Nagar to Siruseri. “However, officials did not take action. They seemed to turn a blind eye,” he added. 

Electric lifts remain dysfunctional: To make public transport accessible for the specially-abled, MTC prepared a blueprint for disabled-friendly buses after a Madras  High Court order in June 2005, to ensure a problem-free travel for the differently-abled passengers. In the beginning, around 10 per cent of MTC buses were fitted with electric lifts near the front entrance. These lifts were operated by the drivers. However, they soon became dysfunctional. Sources allege that officials did not take up maintenance works in a scheduled manner. 

To fulfil the court order, the government had sent a proposal to the government to fit hydraulic lifts in buses and accordingly, such electric lifts were fitted in 10 buses. Though the differently-abled people demanded the government to fix such lifts at least in 80 per cent of the buses, officials had not taken any measure. 

“The officials have constructed ramps and railings only at a few bus shelters. However, they are either very narrow or unfit for users. The MTC buses should stop at the ramps. Most of the drivers overshoot the ramp,” said Smitha Sathasivam, a member of Disabled Rights Alliance. 

GPS in bus shelters on the blink: In order to help commuters find the route number of buses, the Greater Chennai Corporation installed GPS systems in the bus shelters near Anna University, Koyambedu and Anna Nagar. It paved the way for passengers to know through the digital display boards the actual arrival time of buses at the stops.

However, like most schemes with MTC, this system too developed a hitch and GPS in these bus stops soon stopped functioning. Even the bus shelters, which earlier had digital boards for displaying the route, have made for commercial advertisements. Now, most MTC bus shelters do not have such display boards. 

Natarajan, Treasurer, Labour Progressive Federation, (MTC), said, “There should be a proper mechanism put in place by MTC to ensure trouble-free commute for all. The MTC has wasted funds worth crores in implementing such projects. However, all is not lost and it can revive the projects by taking necessary steps.” 

What officials say: “Efforts are on to revive all the projects and we are focused on ensuring that GPS and hydraulic lifts work. As for a/c buses, we will procure some more such buses and augment the availability,” said V Krishnamurthy, Managing Director, MTC. 

The senior official also said that on many occasions when an a/c buses broke down, they were short of spare parts. As for the GPS, it failed to show the exact time and there were other technical snags, forcing Corporation to abandon the project, said officials. However, authorities conceded that the hydraulic lifts were malfunctioning due to improper maintenance. 

Number of MTC a/c buses: 100 

Cost of one a/c bus: 80 lakh 

Cost of installation of GPS at four places: 2 crore (in total)

Cost of hydraulic lifts in 20 buses: 40 lakh (in total)