As frequency of Metropolitan Transport Corporation services dedicated to sub-urban areas is poor, commuters have a tough time.
“Route number V 151 which plies from T. Nagar to East Tambaram is operated as a deluxe service during peak hours and the white board service, once in three hours. It will be of immense help if the frequency of the white board service is increased during peak hours,” J. Raj, a commuter, said.
“Bus route number 51 F which was operated from Sunnambu Kolathur, Kovilambakkam, to T. Nagar via Velachery, is diverted through Madipakkam. Just two or three (51 F) services are operated through Velachery. A good number of staff of Indian Institute of Technology - Madras resided at S. Kolathur, and depend on this service,” said a resident of S. Kolathur.
He added “We presented a letter to Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Chief Minister Cell, and Transport Secretary to resume the previous service. In reply, the MTC authorities stated that the service is operated 16 times a day. Two bus routes 51 S (Saidapet – Tambaram East) and M 2 (Sunnambu Kolathur - T. Nagar) via Velachery has also been cancelled. ” “There is a need to ply more number of buses from S. Kolathur via Velachery to other parts of the city,” A. Karthik Sivakumar, another commuter said.
Commuters underscored the need to introduce more bus routes on Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road. At present, only A 21 (Thiruvanmiyur- Tambaram), and A 21V (Thiruvanmiyur - Vandalur Zoo) is operated on this thoroughfare. Many will benefit if buses from Central Station, T. Nagar, Koyambedu, Broadway, Mylapore, and Velachery are operated through Radial Road to Guduvancheri and Vandalur. From Vijaya Nagar bus terminus, 21 J (Velachery- Chengalpet) is operated via Medavakkam. It would be put to good use if certain services are diverted through Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road.
MTC officials said, “51 F is operated regularly to T. Nagar via Velachery. Apart from A 21 and A 21V, V 21 and R 21 is operated on Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam Radial Road. A 21 is operated every 10 minutes from Thiruvanmiyur and Vandalur Zoo.
