A majority of the 50 lakh people who travel by MTC have a common grouse — the poor maintenance of the vehicles. Here is a bus on Anna Salai. Photo: M. Vedhan
This MTC bus at Thiruvanmiyur is in a terrible condition. Sources in the MTC say that the main reason for the poor maintenance of buses is the lack of manpower. Photo: M. Karunakaran
Broken seats are a common sight in many buses. K. Natarajan, general secretary of MTC Employees Progressive Union says that the MTC is short of welders, liners and other technicians too. Photo. M. Karunakaran
Names scratched into the backs of seats and peeled off paint are eyesores. Some seats, like this one seen in a bus in Thiruvanmiyur, are held up with wire and string. Photo: M. Karunakaran
The buses have to be maintained on a daily, weekly and monthly basis, when seats in such conditions should be fixed. Photo: M. Karunakaran
Thick foam seats often have torn covers. After a spell of rain - when water seeps in through the leaking roof and the open windows - passengers unwittingly sit on wet seats. This one looks like someone took a bite out of it! Photo: M. Karunakaran
Sources say that a majority of MTC buses operate at just 35 per cent of their braking efficiency, as against a requirement of 75 per cent. New buses will not last three years if they are not properly maintained. The lifespan of a bus is five years. Photo: M. Karunakaran
Conductors often receive complaints on dirty bus floors from commuters. Bus cleaning is given out to contractors, but it is not done regularly alleges a conductor. Many commuters also wonder if the MTC buses undergo regular fitness tests at the regional transport offices. Photo: M. Vedhan