According to an MTC statement, more than 1.23 crore commuters used the service till Friday. “On the first day (September 1), around 6 lakh commuters used the MTC service and we have increased the number of buses.

Now, we are operating around 2,400 buses every day.

MTC had earned around Rs 10 crore from operations,” the statement said.

Also, around 10 lakh commuters are using the MTC services as it operates buses to neighbouring districts after the government allowed the operation from September 7.

With the southern railway yet to start operating local trains, the number of passengers using MTC buses is higher from the places such as Chengalpattu, Guduvanchery, Tambaram, Minjur, Ambattur and Avadi, the MTC said.

“Instructions have been given to branch managers to operate additional buses on the routes where more passengers use the buses. Also, they should ensure frequent disinfection of buses apart from providing hand sanitizers, masks and gloves to drivers and conductors,” the release added.

It may be noted that the MTC does not allow passengers, who are not wearing masks, to travel in the buses.