20,567 special buses for Deepavali

The Minister said that 11,367 buses from Chennai and 9,200 from other districts would be operated between Nov 3 to 5. 

In the same way, an exclusive service of 4,207 buses will be plied from Chennai for the convenience passengers returning after the  festival to their respective places. In the same way, 7,635 services will be operated from other districts. 

Further, 30 special counters for booking tickets would function from  November 1 to 5 at four places in the city.  

In addition, 26 counters in Koyambedu bus terminus, 2 at Tambaram (MEPZ) and one each in Poonamallee and Madhavaram would also be opened. So far, 30,274 passengers have booked tickets, according to the transport department.  

Talking to media persons in Chennai, Vijayabhaskar said, “The MTC will get 30 new buses in another couple of weeks.”

Regarding the regulation of omni bus fare, he said, “We will continue to take strict action against those fleecing the passengers. Though the government 

has not announced a common fare, bus companies have been instructed to  stick to the minimum fare this season.”

To ease congestion, buses bound for Tiruvannamalai, Thanjavur and Kumbakonam will be operated from Koyambedu and Tambaram (Mepz) depots. Passengers going to ECR, Puducherry, Cuddalore and Chidambaram can board buses at KK Nagar.