MTC identifies unfit buses, to bring in 600 new replacements

Sources in the MTC said though the corporation is operating 3,200 buses in the city, around 70 per cent of them were old. Naturally, the corporation has also been receiving a shower of complaints from passengers about poor conditions of buses.

“With an aim to increase the patronage and convenience of commuters, we are keen to replace such age-old buses in a phased manner. The transport department has already floated a tender to procure 92 ordinary and 153 deluxe buses in May and such new buses will replace existing age-old buses. Moreover, the MTC has identified 600 ageing buses, which will gradually be replaced in the first phase,” said an MTC official, seeking anonymity. 

Daniel Robinson, programme manager, Chennai City Connect, said “MTC bus service plays a main role as far as local transportation is concerned in the city. It is a welcome move that if the officials operate new fleets with facilities by replacing age-old buses, it will be a shot in the arm for both MTC and commuters as well as augmenting revenue.”

When contacted by DT Next, a senior official, on request of anonymity, said, “We are only focusing to provide quality services to the passengers and their satisfaction. We are continuously studying about age-old buses to operate new fleets.” 

When asked about patronage in MTC after bus fare revision, the official replied “even though the number of passengers preferring MTC buses has considerably reduced immediately after fare hike, things are looking up now. The number has gradually been on the rise and we hope that many passengers will return to take MTC buses.”