As a part of unlock measure, the Tamil Nadu Government had announced that the public transport including bus services will resume in the state from Sep 1 with SOPs.

After the state government had relaxed the lockdown curbs, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) resumed its services from Tuesday. According to the official announcement, the buses will operate within the Chennai police limits while commuters who wish to travel to nearby districts like Kovalam, Mamallapuram, Siruseri, Thiruporur, Chengalpattu and Guduvanchery will have to opt for mofussil and town services.

Tamil Nadu Transport Minister MR Vijayabaskar announced that the buses will be operated within the district limit, across the state and the services will be available till 9 pm on all days.

He further added that the Rs 1000 bus pass will be valid only until Aug 15. The Rs 1,000 pass allows a commuter to travel unlimited for a month in all categories of the MTC buses, except the airconditioned buses, the route-specific pass allows one to travel only between two specific bus stops.

Apparently, even while the Tamil Nadu government has relaxed Covid-19 lockdown restrictions by permitting intra-district bus operations, private bus operators have decided not to resume their services any time soon. They said operating buses within the districts will not be profitable and have decided to follow a wait and watch approach.