Government to roll out sleeper, luxury buses in May

The hi-tech buses will be part of the 2,000 new buses for which purchase orders have been issued by the government and the first batch of the fleet is likely to hit the roads by May. 

Sources with the transport department maintained that the new fleet would improve the quality of the services offered and would place the STC vehicles on par with those run by private operators, besides it would also help to augment the eroding revenue. 

While the state government has given its approval for the purchase of 2,000 buses, the transport department has sought its nod for the procurement of another 1,000 buses. The first batch of the 2000 buses would roll out in May, which would include 40 sleeper coaches and 20 luxury buses with toilet facilities. 

Regarding the introduction of electric buses in Chennai city, the source said the proposal to procure around 200 buses has reached the final stage and it was a central government-funded initiative. 

“We have sought a few modifications with the bus manufacturer. Once the technical specifications are tweaked to suit our needs, purchase orders will be issued,” the official added. Meanwhile, Metropolitan Transport Corporation officials said that they have floated tender for 2,000 new buses, including 249 MTC buses, which would hit the road by the end of the year. Sources said that the move was aimed at increasing the revenue and providing better service to the public. 

A transport official, on condition of anonymity, pointed out, “The transport department has been facing an annual loss of around Rs 912 crore. The recent price hike will help to compensate it. The purchase of new buses will not add to the financial burden as the Central government will provide some funds.”