22,000 buses to clear Pongal festival rush from January 10 to 13, says TN transport minister

CHENNAI: State Transport Undertakings will be operating 21,904 buses including 14,104 from Chennai to various parts of TN from January 10-13 to meet Pongal festival rush. The special buses in the city would be operated from Koyambedu, Kilambakkam and Madhavaram termini.

After reviewing the preparation with senior officials of the transport corporations, transport department, traffic police and CUMTA at the Secretariat on Monday, Transport Minister SS Sivasankar said that 14,104 buses, including 5,736 special buses, would be operated from Chennai and 7,800 buses in other parts of the State.

“MTC will operate 300 buses to Kilambakkam terminus from where special buses will be operated. There will be 100 buses each from Koyambedu and Broadway and 50 buses each from Tiruvanmiyur and Poonamallee,” he added. “MTC will operate the round-the-clock services to Kilambakkam.”

For passengers returning after Pongal, the corporations would operate 15,750 buses, including 5,790 special buses for those returning to Chennai from January 15-19. As many as 6,926 special buses will ply between important destinations in TN. In all, 22,676 buses would be operated after the Pongal festival.

“As per transport corporation’s estimate, 7.75 lakh people will travel out of the city for Pongal, compared to 6 lakh last year,” said the minister. “To meet the festive rush, the corporations will operate private buses on a contract basis as needed.”

Sivasankar also warned the omnibuses of action if they board passengers between Koyambedu and Maduravoyal causing traffic congestion. “Omnibuses must not halt their vehicles at Porur toll plaza and disrupt traffic,” he stated. “Transport commissioner will talk to omnibus owners about it soon.”

He reiterated that action would be taken on those omnibuses that fleece passengers on certain routes. “Omnibuses ply on a contract basis from one point to another. Sometimes passengers board a bus plying to Kanniyakumari by paying the full fare, but get down on the way. If they complain about high fares, we’ll take action,” said the minister. “Teams are formed to monitor and act on the complaints of omnibuses fleecing passengers. During Deepavali, private buses operated on a contract basis. So, some omnibuses approached the corporation to allow them to run during Pongal as they did not get enough bookings.”

Sivasankar also said that passengers could make use of the online ticket booking facility. “So far, 1.73 lakh passengers have booked their seats,” he pointed out.

Also, a 24/7 control room for passengers in Koyambedu and mobile numbers for complaints, 9445014450 and 9445014436, have been set up.

CALL FOR COMPLAINTS

Passengers can register their grievances against Omni buses on: 1800 425 6151, (044) 24749002, (044) 26280445, (044) 26281611