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MTC to outsource cleaning works of over 3,500 buses at its 33 depots
The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) – which is operating over 3,500 buses for around 40 lakh passengers daily – has finally decided to act upon the increasing number of complaints from the commuting public on its failure to maintain the vehicles clean and tidy.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
The Corporation has decided to outsource the task in all 33 depots in and around the city to clean as many as 3,580 buses on a daily basis.
MTC has been on the receiving end with passengers complaining that the buses plying on the city roads are dirty and damaged. There were also complaints of MTC officials looking the other way whenever a commuter bothers to file a complaint.
“The MTC buses always remain littered with tickets, paper, wrappers, discarded cigarette butts, eatables and whatnot. Wonder whether these buses are cleaned at all,” remarked R Dakshinamurthy, a regular commuter from Red Hills to Guindy.
However, a senior MTC official said they have casual workers in every depot to clean vehicles every night. “Each bus undergoes a water wash under the eyes of MTC officials, and there are cleaning machines at the depots.
Step into any bus in the morning and it will be clean. It becomes dirty after 9 am,” said the official, however, admitting: “Of late, there has been a spike in the number of such complaints.”
“Hence, we have invited bids to appoint a contractor for maintaining of the buses,” the official said. The contractor would be responsible for cleaning the buses including the removal of dust and loose soil from the floor, and seats.
“The contractor would be asked to clean the entire carpet area inside the bus using a vacuum cleaner and also, remove spot stains using an appropriate cleaner daily,” the official said, adding the buses would be water washed.
A bus conductor at the Anna Nagar West depot said passengers too should be held responsible for the condition of the buses. “They should stop littering the buses. There is no point in blaming the MTC staff alone,” he said.
‘Deaths involving MTC buses down in last two years’
MTC managing director K Ganesan on Sunday said the number of fatalities involving its buses has come down to 82 in 2019 from 112 in 2018.
After hoisting the national flag to mark the 71st Republic Day on Sunday, Ganesan said the reduction in the fatalities were achieved in the last two years after the road safety awareness campaign carried out by it.
The MD called upon the MTC drivers to operate the buses without accidents and to fulfil the requirements of the commuting public. He also distributed certificates and prizes to 191 workers, including 66 drivers, 33 conductors and 33 technicians.
Ganesan also distributed the certificates and prizes appreciating various employees including 12 ticket checkers for collecting maximum fine and two drivers and conductors for achieving the highest ticket collection last year.
Meanwhile, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd managing director Pankaj Kumar Bansal hoisted the Tricolour at Koyambedu administration building and accepted the salute at the parade.
As part of the Republic Day celebrations, for encouraging sportsmanship among the metro officials and staff, outdoor games including brisk walk, back walk and slow cycle race and indoor games like badminton and table tennis and carrom were conducted.
Bansal distributed the prizes for 57 officials and staff, as well as the awards to the 18 winners of the Chennai Runners Marathon conducted on January 5.
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