Faulty ETMs haunt new red buses too

“With additional safety and comfort features, the red buses are convenient in all the aspects. Except, the commuters are engaged in frequent quarrel with the conductors due to faulty ETMs. 

Recently, a conductor handed me a blank ticket without any details about the fare or destination. He refused to issue another ticket saying the blank paper would be counted as a ticket. Several passengers were also given tickets with poor print,” said a regular commuter.

The working President of the CITU P Balakrishnan said, “We have taken up the issue several times with the management. They are yet to take any action. Due to the faulty machines, the transport corporation is incurring losses on a daily basis.”

The MTC has increased the maximum number of stages up to 26 in various routes, making it even difficult for the conductors. Project Director of Traffic and Transportation Forum V Subramani said, “Another problem pertaining with our ticket system is the plenty of stages. It is irrational to have numerous stages as it a burden for passengers.”

Bus conductors claim that they are issuing paper tickets whenever the situation gets worse. “Then, we are holding nearly 20 bundles at a time. Our hands feel numb at the end of each trip. The issue was brought to the notice of management who refused to accept the fault with ETMs,” said a bus conductor attached to Adyar bus depot.

When contacted, a senior MTC official said, “There is no mandate that new buses should be supplied with the new ETMs. We have already considered the longstanding plea of commuters. Soon, the old ETMs will be replaced with the new ones.”