500 more buses to get GPS-based public address system

The bus stop announcement system would help the passengers travelling on the crowded buses during peak hours, as they need not depend on others to know their bus stops.

MTC had introduced the announcement system in 75 buses in the first phase in December last year, after doing a pilot on three bus routes - 101 (Tiruvottiyur-Poonamallee), 570 (CMBT to Kelambakkam) and 25G (Anna Square to Poonamallee).

The system got a good response from the passengers in Madurai where it was first introduced in the city buses. “We are now planning to extend it to 500 more buses in the next phase. We have invited tenders for the same,” an MTC official said. The system would announce the next stop 100 meters ahead.

In between the announcements, advertisements would be broadcast. “From the revenue made from the advertisements, the contractor has to pay a monthly fee of Rs 1,200 to the MTC. This will be additional revenue to the MTC without making any investment on it,” the official said, adding that this facility would be extended to all its buses in a phased manner.

The contractor will have to install the GPS device along with six speakers and an audio amplifier on each bus.