With Deepavali falling in mid-week this year, omni bus operators in the city complained that their business was unexpectedly dull compared to last year. Buses were operated to full capacity last year but this year the occupancy rate was low. Additional buses have been stationed at the omni bus stand in Mattuthavani with the hope that their business would improve during the weekend.
Omni bus operators claim that they did a better business during the puja holidays as Ayudha Puja fell on the weekend. “With government staff and IT professionals getting just a day’s holiday, we have registered only 65% occupancy rate,” said a bus operator. He added that the special buses operated by the State Express Transport Corporation and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation and special trains run by the Southern Railway for the festival season had an impact on occupancy in omni bus services.
However, one operator, said, “There has been an increase in the number of travel operators this year. This is another reason why the occupancy rate has come down.” He added that this meant there had been a huge increase in the number of buses being operated and occupancy rate getting diluted as a result. “Since normal services did not get filled up, there was no question of operating additional bus services during Deepavali,” said another operator.
ADVERTISEMENT