Diversion of buses to profit-making routes takes toll on passengers

Though officials anticipated large crowds as passengers might get back after the New Year and Christmas holidays, the recent move to pull in 3,500 buses due to many unfilled vacancies resulted in officials avoiding routes other than those for the two metropolitan cities. 

Thus, a normal four hour trip to Krishnagiri from Vellore nearly took six hours as passengers had to change buses at Ambur and Vaniyambadi since there were no direct services. 

Dinakaran, a local resident, said, “I had to change buses at Ambur and Vaniyambadi when usually there are direct buses to Krishnagiri.”

Usually, Chennai bound buses use the service road next to the Collectorate to pick up passengers, since they reach full capacity only after crossing Walajahpet. But on Tuesday, all Chennai bound buses went directly to the National Highway from the Green Circle as there were passengers stranded. Several passengers bound for other destinations were stagnant in the new bus stand. The situation reverted to normal only in the afternoon.

What infuriated passengers was that neither the bus staffs nor the bus stand officials knew when regular services would be reverted. When the TNSTC officials were questioned, they said decisions on major issues were taken in Chennai and they only follow their orders. 

Passengers hope that at least for Pongal, officials will fix the problems and to ensure hassle free travel for passengers.