CHENNAI: The Metropolitan Transport Corporation Ltd has floated a set of e-tenders to recruit 1,895 drivers and about 3,300 conductors on a contract basis for operating regular bus services across the city, including Phase II electric bus depots, for an initial period of 11 months.
While the transport trade unions, including those from alliance partners of the ruling DMK, have staunchly opposed the move, the State-run transport utility said this was required to ensure that the services are run round the clock without any disruptions.
According to the documents, MTC has invited bids from eligible service providers for supplying 1,895 drivers per day for regular bus operations, with manpower deployment fixed depot-wise across its regional network. The drivers will be engaged on an outsourcing basis and deployed in multiple shifts, including day and night services, to ensure uninterrupted operations. The contract may be extended by up to 33 months, subject to satisfactory performance and statutory compliance.
In parallel, MTC has issued tenders for the engagement of conductors under two categories. For regular bus services based on regional allocation, 1,797 conductors are to be deployed daily, while 1,500 conductors are proposed for Phase II electric bus depots. Together, this brings the total number of conductors to 3,297, to be provided by private service firms on a contract basis.
The tender process has been initiated amid protests by all trade unions, including CITU and AITUC, which have announced a demonstration on January 20 opposing what they term the privatisation of the transport corporation.
The unions have demanded that MTC operate electric buses on its own, fill existing vacancies on a permanent basis, and withdraw the proposal to amend Section 288A of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, which permits the operation of private buses on lease by the corporation for regular services.
Union representatives have maintained that outsourcing core operational staff, such as drivers and conductors, would weaken public transport and undermine job security, while MTC officials have said the measures are aimed at ensuring service continuity and addressing acute manpower shortages across depots.