Koyambedu bus stand on Sunday was buzzing with activity as families arrived in significant numbers on the last day of the summer vacation. After enjoying an additional seven days of holidays, children will be back to school on Monday.
Transport department officials had anticipated huge crowds and introduced over 42 services to various districts of the State, in addition to the existing 400.
Three buses on the route to Ooty were full as many families took a short break when the vacation was extended.
“The night buses will be very crowded, as we have seen parents insisting on taking them and reaching here in the morning. We have appointed extra staff to take care of the crowd,” said an SETC official.
R. Suganya, mother of R. Keerthivasan, a class IX student, who returned from Mayiladuthurai on Sunday, said since schools these days provided both uniforms and books, there was no pressing need for parents to come back early.
“We went to our native place in Karaikudi. When the additional holidays were announced, we extended our trip to some places nearby. It was a welcome break for children who are normally into studies by this time,” she said.
However, some of the bus services proved unnecessary. “Four of the eight buses we had allocated for Villupuram remained in the shed. The rush on Sunday was not as heavy as that of June 1,” said an official.
At least a few parents seemed to have decided not to go anywhere during the extended break as getting tickets was a problem.
“Last year, the buses were very crowded on the day before school. We did not want to take a risk, especially because my daughter is in class X and her principal has asked for 100 per cent attendance,” said R. Manimegalai, who came back from Vellore a week ago.
