Reaching college on time is an ordeal for Mercy Arockiam, a student of Stella Maris College. Mercy, who resides at NSK Nagar in Arumbakkam, has only one direct bus to the college — 29K.
“I get to college late if the bus does not come on time. Many a time, I am dependent on share autorickshaws but they go only up to Gemini and from there it takes me 10 minutes to walk to the college,” says the second year student of biotechnology.
The 29K bus service, operated between CMBT and Mandaveli, goes via DG Vaishnav College, Pachaiyappa’s College, Chetpet, Sterling Road, Cathedral Road and Mylapore. It is the only direct bus for many other college and school students, who reside in these areas.
Students say there are only two buses operating on this route. The frequency is one bus every hour. Many other regular computers working at establishments on this stretch say the number of bus routes being operated on this stretch is considerably low. Bus routes 29C and 27 D are the other services that go via Cathedral Road. Waiting for the connecting buses is time-consuming. ”
In addition to students, a good number of office goers and senior citizens use this service on a regular basis.
“Sometimes, the bus gets delayed or does not turn up. There have been several days when I have waited for one hour at the bus stop. I find it difficult to use connecting buses, so I choose to wait for the direct bus,” says a senior citizen who commuters regularly by 29K.
Commuters want the frequency to be increased to at least two buses per hour.
