The TNSTC in the Nilgiris has begun operating circuit buses in order to bring down the amount of vehicular traffic in Udhagamandalam during the upcoming tourist season.
The services, which have started from Sunday, are to be increased in the coming weeks, with around 30 buses to be used to transport tourists to different tourist spots across the Nilgiris during the peak of the summer festival season.
TNSTC officials said that tourists can buy a bus pass which will allow them to board the circuit buses throughout the day. They said that the cost of each bus pass is ₹ 100 for an adult and ₹ 50 for children.
The circuit buses will take tourists to the popular tourist spots in Udhagamandalam town, including the Government Botanical Garden, Rose Garden, the Ooty Lake and Boat House as well as a few other places.
Officials said that it was hoped that the operation of the circuit buses through the summer would discourage tourists visiting the Nilgiris from using their private vehicles and causing traffic jams throughout the town.
The TNSTC have also helped to ensure that the Udhagamandalam to Kotagiri Road does not become clogged with traffic during the summer. The stretch, usually gets clogged with vehicular traffic due to vehicles proceeding towards Doddabetta peak. However, the TNSTC is to operate buses from the Doddabetta Junction, located along the Udhagamandalam to Kotagiri Road, to the peak, charging ₹ 20 for each trip. Officials said that the buses are to operate every five minutes.
Though only around 10 circuit buses have begun operating on Sunday, the number of buses operating along the tourists’ route will be increased in the coming weeks, officials said.