CHENNAI: The state government has proposed an amendment to the Motor Vehicles Rules to permit State Transport Undertakings to operate hired or leased private buses on nationalised routes when they are unable to deploy their own fleet, in an effort to maintain uninterrupted services.
A draft gazette notification issued by the Home Department dated December 8 said the draft amendment to Rule 288-A of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, has been published for public feedback, as required under Section 212 of the Motor Vehicles Act. The change is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted regular bus services in nationalised sectors despite shortages in the fleets of transport corporations.
Under the proposal, the State Transport Undertakings will be permitted to operate private vehicles taken on hire or lease, after obtaining a permit through Form SCPA (STU) for the vehicle concerned. This provision would override existing restrictions in Rule 288 that bar such operations by private vehicles on nationalised routes.
The move comes as transport corporations increasingly turn to alternative fleet deployment models. In Chennai, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation has already begun operating electric buses under the gross cost contract model through the World Bank-supported Chennai City Partnership Programme. In the first phase, it plans to run 625 electric buses, including 225 air-conditioned services, while tenders have been finalised to induct another 600 buses in the second phase.
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram) has also been operating private buses on hire for long-distance services during peak travel seasons such as festivals and long weekends. Following its success, State Express Transport Corporation and other transport corporations have adopted similar measures to meet demand.
The government has invited objections or suggestions to the draft amendment from stakeholders within 30 days of its publication in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette. Responses are to be submitted in duplicate to the additional chief secretary, Home Department, Chennai.