The move was also brought about by the pressure to augment revenue that had fallen drastically after the recent bus fare hike, sources said. Senior officials have instructed branch managers of the depot to repair old buses so as to operate them in the city, sources told DT Next, Recounting his experience, K Vimal, a regular commuter between Ambattur and Broadway, said, “The driver had to restart the bus at every stop.” 

This, he added, raised the question whether it was the deluxe bus that was converted into an ordinary service as claimed by the corporation, or if these were old buses. Giving credence to the doubt, a time-keeper noted how his depot in the western suburb received five express buses in the recent days. “To date we don’t know where these buses are coming from,” he said. 

A driver added, on condition of anonymity, that they were forced to follow the instructions from top. “If we complain about the poor condition of the vehicles, the officials would shout at us,” he added. The mechanics have been asked to repair the unfit deluxe buses that have been lying unused in the depots, sources added. Denying the allegation, a senior official said commuters could register grievances about the poor condition of the vehicles with the MTC Complaint Cell.