The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) finally received its first batch of new buses, replenishing its ageing fleet, after a long wait on Monday. But, the transport utility received only 56 buses, and nearly 189 buses are overdue.
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami flagging off the new buses at the Secretariat
Chennai:
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami flagged off 555 new buses, which were built at an estimated cost of Rs 140 crore at the Secretariat. The new vehicles were allotted across six transport corporations across the State.
The 56 buses for MTC were allotted to 15 depots, including Central depot, Tiruvanmiyur, T Nagar, Vadapalani, Adyar. Except for Avadi, all 14 depots have been allocated a minimum of two buses each. Avadi received only one bus, which was assigned for the Red Hills-Poonamallee route (62). Some of the larger depots, including Central and Adyar, have got five or more buses.
All the buses were built adhering to the AIS-052-Automatic Research Association of India (ARAI) bus standard. They have automatic doors, low flooring to enable easy entry and exit for elderly citizens, separate seating facility, wide gangway, emergency exit and a system to announce the route and stops.
In order to aid differently-abled persons, the busses will have rings to hold walking sticks and a bell to alert the crew about their destinations. Also, the buses are equipped with LED route boards, tube lights, fans and reverse horn with a sensor.
The managing director of MTC, Anbu Abraham, said, “According to an earlier announcement, the MTC has to receive 245 new buses. The rest will be inducted into the fleet soon. We have introduced the new buses along the important routes and long-distances across the city.”
The Tamil Nadu Transport Corporation Limited (TNSTC) of Villupuram received 82 new buses, 112 for Salem, 140 for Coimbatore, 102 for Kumbakonam and Madurai got 63.
A top official attached to the MTC said, “The works of new buses are being carried out in the central workshop located in Chromepet and other workshops in Pollachi and Erode. The works including paneling, painting, flooring and other patchworks are being undertaken. We can expect an announcement of the next induction within a month.”