In what can be seen as a fillip to intermodal transport, 100 small buses will be introduced by March-end to connect Chennai Metro Rail stations across the city. CMRL officials want to have system of common ticketing with the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) and are waiting for a response from the latter on this matter.
The first 50 small buses were rolled out in October 2013 and the second 50 hit the roads in February 2014. Most of the services are concentrated in the southern and western suburbs and some ply in the city. Even areas such as Vengambakkam, Korattur, Avadi, Mittanamalli, Karanodai and Madhavaram, which earlier had poor road connectivity, have been benefitted by the introduction of small buses.
However, with the introduction of Chennai Metro Rail, residents wanted more small buses to connect the stations.
“We have been getting requests for small buses from many residents across the city. Once the 100 are rolled out, the city will be well-connected. Bus body-building work is being carried out and some of them are nearly ready,” said a source from the transport department.
“Small buses can be operated as feeder services. We can finalise their timing according to the timing of the Metro Rail. The additional small buses will connect Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) trains too,” added the source.
Meanwhile, CMRL officials said that the service would be useful only if it operated five kilometres around the Metro Rail station. He said that a common ticketing facility was also essential. “The facility will be introduced in a few months. Commuters want this,” he said. Each small bus earns Rs. 5, 600 per day. “There has been a good response as it plys via small lanes, arterial roads and bus termini. People want more services in areas where small buses are operated,” said an MTC driver.