346 buses to replace old SETC fleet after Vellore poll

While sources attributed the fleet induction date to the work at the State Secretariat having slowed down due to ministers camping in Vellore for campaigning ahead of the Lok Sabha poll, officials said that the induction of the new buses would mean the replacement of nearly a third of the ageing SETC fleet. They added that when the new vehicles are pressed into service, it would mean improved speed in government buses, and thereby reduce travelling time for the public, especially on long-distance routes.

A senior official on condition of anonymity said, “The government will further introduce a planned two-month pilot project aimed at increasing the speed of express buses and simultaneously check fuel consumption and expenditure to see whether the project can be implemented permanently.”

The project was necessitated by the reason that despite cheaper fares being offered by government transport services, the public preferred private operators. Details collected from regular long-distance travellers revealed that the public preference for private operators, especially omni buses, was due to faster movement, reducing travelling time, according to sources.

With regard to reports of conductors doubling up as drivers in SETC buses, officials said that drivers and conductors appointed after 1994 were provided both driver and conductor licences by the Institute of Road Transport (IRT) to reduce manpower, as otherwise, long-route trips necessitate two drivers and one conductor to complete the journey.