Fund crunch forces transport dept to suspend 3,500 buses

Transport department sources said the various transport corporations at present have a total number of 1.43 lakh employees and 22,000 buses are being operated across the state. However, it did not conduct recruitment after 2016. 

Meanwhile, around 15,000 employees had retired after 2016 and such vacancies are lying vacant. 

Moreover, fund crunch and non-recruitment prompted the officials to suspend around 3,500 buses, including TNSTC, SETC and MTC. Such decision has been taken due to loss of revenue.

K Natarajan, Treasurer of Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), said, “It is a pathetic situation that since the transport department is facing loss, it has reduced the buses making commuters feel inconvenient. If such a situation is continuing, it will pave the way for privatization.” He stressed the officials to recruit new employees and increase the number of fleets to various destinations.

“Even the MTC has suspended 350 buses and this prompts commuters to wait for a long time to reach destinations,” Natarajan pointed out.

“There is a proposal for suspension of buses across the state. The government is expected to issue the GO regarding this soon. Accordingly, around 2,700 TNSTC and 500 SETC buses will be suspended, while MTC buses will account for around 350,” said an official, seeking anonymity. Such an announcement may come in the beginning of January, he added.