MTC withdraws several bus routes to reduce losses

As a result of what is seen as a desperate attempt to reduce the losses even after the steep bus fare hike, passengers complained that they could not find out some buses, like 17C and 12C.

Sources said that the MTC officials have diverted these buses in routes that have more passengers. “Services in route numbers like 17C, 565A and 565 have been withdrawn. If there were 10 buses that used to ply in the route, currently only three to four buses are operated. Remaining buses are diverted to other routes,” sources added. 

M Shanmugam, general secretary of Labour Progressive Federation, said that around 30 per cent of MTC buses are off the road and the officials have deliberately shifted many buses from existing routes to different routes that are more lucrative. 

“Due to this, many passengers forced to taking different modes of transportation. Coupled with the increased fare, this move has reduced the number of MTC passengers drastically,” he added. Meanwhile, passengers also complained that they are no information about the arrival time of buses. 

“I was not aware that route number 17C (Iyyappanthangal-Broadway) was withdrawn and waited for the bus for a long time for a few days, but in vain. Then, I approached the time-keeper and came to know the service was withdrawn,” said K Ganesh, a senior citizen of Iyyappanthangal. He also complained that route number 35G (Iyyappanthangal to Vallalar Nagar) buses, which usually halt in Iyyappanthangal were also shifted to Poonamallee. 

When contacted, a senior official of MTC maintained that they withdrew services in routes that are connected by the small busses. “The Transport Department is procuring 345 MTC buses and 100 small buses soon, we are studying routes and we will be operating buses in the withdrawn routes,” said the official.