Transport dept to procure 2k chassis, MTC to get 330

To this effect, the Institute of Road Transport (IRT), an engineering and technology support wing of the State Transport Department, has commenced the works to procure the chassis and bodybuilding for the new buses at an estimated cost of Rs 616 crore.

The IRT has floated separate bids for purchasing chassis and bodybuilding for various transport corporations. Of the bids for 2,000 bus chassis, 430 chassis have been allotted to Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), Coimbatore and 330 chassis for the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC). Villupuram, Salem, Kumbakonam, Madurai and Tirunelveli divisions of TNSTC have been allotted 1,040 bus chassis, including 170 AC buses. The State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) would get 100 bus each for the Ultra Deluxe and AC seater cum sleeper services.

Among the 2,000 bus chassis, 1,050 would be for moffusil and hill services by the six divisions of the TNSTC, while 750 chassis would be for town routes by TNSTC and MTC. Interestingly, all the chassis purchased for the MTC would be non-AC type.

The IRT, in the bid, wanted the chassis frame to be designed for a minimum service life of 10 years or 9 lakh kms. In addition, IRT also specified the minimum average run for each chassis. The BS IV buses constructed on the chassis should achieve 4.35 km per litre in Chennai and 4.75 km per litre in other town areas, while in mofussil and hill station routes, the average should be 5.25 and 4.05 km per litre respectively. For the SETC chassis, the ultra-deluxe express and AC operation should achieve 4.65 km per litre and 3.95 km per litre.

The bids for the new buses have been invited following the suo motto announcement made by the Chief Minister in the Assembly on purchasing 2,000 buses at Rs 600 crore. The Transport Department has issued an order to purchase 5,000 buses at Rs 1,500 crore in two phases.