Sixty-two-year old Venketasan S., a resident of J. J. Nagar, travels all the way to Anna Nagar West bus depot, once in three months, to get his free bus pass. As a senior citizen, he is entitled to one.
Like Vivekandan, many other seniors from neighbouring localities, which include Tirumangalam, Padi, Mogappair West, J.J. Nagar and Nolambur, rely on this bus depot located on Jawaharlal Nehru Main Road. They are now requesting the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) authorities to set up separate counters at the bus termini in East and West Mogappair.
Incidentally, this is the only facility in the neighbourhood where free bus passes are issued for seniors.
“The counter at Anna Nagar West bus terminus is mostly crowded as other regular commuters, including students, get their passes at the same counter. With no regard for our age, we are made to travel all the way to the depot to get the free passes,” said Venketasan.
The senior citizens have also suggested that MTC consider converting the existing breastfeeding rooms at these termini into counters for free bus passes, as a stopgap arrangement.
All terminals, including the ones in East and West Mogappair, are equipped with such rooms. The breastfeeding rooms are open when there is a request from women commuters; and they are locked once these women leave.
No direct services
Currently, residents say, there are no direct bus services from Mogappair to Anna Nagar West bus terminus. There are bus services only up to Tirumangalam, after which, commuters have to travel in share autorickshaws or board another bus to reach the terminus.
During rush hour, many of the buses plying on J.N. Road are crowded; on the other hand, during non-peak hours, only a few buses operate from Mogappair to Tirumangalam. This is done by MTC to save costs.
“For a distance less than a kilometre — between Tirumangalam and Anna Nagar West bus terminus — autorickshaw drivers demand at least ₹80 per person to drop us. Separate counters at the bus termini in East and West Mogappair will put an end to our ordeal,” said V. Ramani, a long-time resident of Mogappair.
Two years ago, the bus terminus in East Mogappair was renovated at a cost of ₹60 lakh, which was drawn from the local MLA’s Local Area Development Fund. Facilities such as shelters, time keeper’s office, access road inside the terminus, compound wall, lights and separate room for mothers to feed their babies, were added.
A few years ago, the bus terminus in West Mogappair was also renovated and provided with such facilities.
However, both termini do not have separate counters for issuing free bus passes, including those for students and senior citizens. While senior citizens go to the Anna Nagar West terminus to get their free bus passes, students are go to the Ambattur Industrial Estate bus terminus for the same.
MTC officials said: “We will take necessary steps to open free bus pass counters at these termini soon.”