MTC buses to run till Tiruchy to ease crowd at Koyambedu

As a heavy crowd gathered, Transport Minister MR Vijayabhaskar told reporters at the Secretariat that MTC buses would be operated in the long-distance route till Tiruchy due to the less availability of buses. He also urged the public to plan their journey as the bus services would be available only till 6 pm on Tuesday.

“For those who want to return to their natives in Tindivanam, Villupuram and Tiruchy, we have decided to operate MTC buses till there to ease the crowd at Koyambedu. We will be operating 100 new red buses to Tindivanam, Villupuram and Tiruchy. We have also directed officials to bring the buses from outside Chennai,” he said.

He added that the arrangements have been made to ease the difficulties faced by the passengers who want to leave for their hometowns within the State. “The crowd at Koyembedu was unexpected following the government’s announcement of Section 144. In the absence of train services, the crowd was rather heavy,” he noted.

The Minister said he has asked omnibus owners to operate their buses to ease the crowd. “They had already announced the cancellation of the omnibus services till March 31, but we have asked them to resume their services,” he said, adding that strict direction was given not to hike the fares considering the demand.

When asked whether MTC bus services would run after Section 144 was imposed, he said that the intention of the government was to avoid people gathering, so the buses will not be operated. “Only essential services vehicle will run,” he noted.