The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) seems to be going the extra mile to provide better connectivity to passengers.
Motivated by the strategy adopted by share-autorickshaws, small buses have started stopping in front of apartment complexes, shopping malls and IT companies to attract more passengers.
MTC is also contemplating halting the buses in front of Egmore and Chennai Central railway stations for the benefit of travellers, said an official.
A total of 100 small buses ply the city and another 100 are expected to hit the roads soon. The main objective behind these buses is eating into the revenue of share-autorickshaws, which enjoy good patronage in areas not serviced by regular MTC buses.
“As share autos are not allowed to halt at bus stops, they have started picking up passengers near residential and commercial complexes,” said an MTC official.
On an average, over 77,500 persons travel by the 100 small buses every day, generating revenue of over Rs. 5 lakh. The buses are a hit with commuters as they halt wherever the passenger wants.
Though commuters are happy about the move, they feel share autorickshaws will continue to be popular until the number of small buses is increased. “Nobody wants to wait for a bus for more than five minutes, especially in the hot sun,” said J. Umashankar, a resident of Medavakkam.
