Over the past few weeks, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has been running services from as early as 3 a.m.
The buses connect suburban alighting points of omni buses from other States and districts with railway stations, bus terminii and markets, thus enabling more commuters avail of MTC services.
Senior officials said the change in omni bus timings is one of the factors that has prompted this move.
“Earlier, omni buses would come into the city only by 7 a.m. Now, to avoid traffic, they ply early and reach Perungalathur by 4 a.m. and the Koyambedu bus terminus by 5 a.m. In the absence of MTC services, long-distance commuters would fall prey to fleecing autorickshaw drivers,” said a senior MTC official.
MTC now operates 40 services during weekdays and more during the weekends. “We have introduced the 3 a.m. buses near Chennai Central and Egmore railway stations too. Also, to help people going to the market, buses have been introduced to Koyambedu too,” the official said.
D. Maran, treasurer of Tamil Nadu Omni Bus Owners Association, said the introduction of MTC buses from Perungalathur and Koyambedu, early in the morning, will be of great help to commuters. “Many commuters prefer buses over autorickshaws,” he said.
T. Ravikumar, president, All India Rail and Bus Passengers Welfare Association, welcomes the move. “Passengers who arrive in the early hours find it difficult to get transport. This service will help them reach their destinations safely. But the buses should not charge double the fare,” he said.
