MTC buses deboard passengers outside depot, put them at risk

Buses attached to the sprawling Tiruvanmiyur bus depot located at Tiruvalluvar Road deboard passengers in the middle of the road outside the terminus as there are not enough bus bays in the facility. This is a perennial complaint of the passengers who claim that Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) bus rides to this facility come along with a certain amount of risk.

“The drivers halt the bus in the middle of the road and direct us to deboard. We have no other option but to obey their orders. We end up brushing with motorists plying towards East Coast Road. A few drivers are mindful and let us cross the road before resuming their journey. Many chide the corporation for committing such act,” Amrutha Kalyani, a commuter said.

The risk of accidents is higher when a bus halts on the western lane near the entrance gate. The vehicles move in a fast pace since the stretch of Thiruvalluvar Salai is short and restricted to one-way.

An MTC official said, “The vehicles waiting to depart occupy the bus bays. Thus, the terminating buses will find it difficult to find bays. Therefore, they are disgorging passengers just outside the terminus. We are trying to find an alternative measure to put an end to this practice.”

The other pertinent issue that commuters face is the long unwinding queue posted in front of bus pass renewal center. Commuters suggest that similar centers on East Coast Road and Rajiv Gandhi Salai will ease congestion here.

A majority of the commuters from Kottivakkam, Palavakkam, Kelambakkam, Sholinganallur, Padur, Neelankarai and Injambakkam renew their passes at the centre in Tiruvanmiyur bus terminus.

“I have to commute more than two hours to renew my monthly pass and wait in queue for another one hour at the terminus. These centers have long queues and the waiting time is longer on Saturdays. Commuters, including college students, working professionals and labourers, renew the monthly ‘Travel As You Please’ pass for ₹1,000 and concession passes,” said a commuter, S Bhavani.

Like other depots, the facility lacks proper public toilet, forcing people to relieve themselves in the open places adjoining it. Further, a bumpy ride starts from the facility itself as the approach road to bus bays are sans tarmac coating. The sanitation is taken for a toss with garbage strewn all over the floor.

“The commuters board buses at the entrance of the facility during the rainy season. The facility will be completely flooded owing to an improper drainage system. Marshes greet the visitors during this season,” said Bhavani.

The facility has a fleet strength of 161 buses and operates 149 services per day. It witnesses a footfall of more than 50,000 commuters, recording over 2,000 trips.

“The public must cooperate for the upkeep of the facility. The corporation has deployed sanitary workers to clean the place round the clock,” the MTC official said.