New omni bus terminus starts functioning at Mattuthavani

Private bus operators began operations at the new omni bus terminus at Mattuthavani here on Sunday.

“While most of the 48 offices have been occupied, we expect the rest of the operators who have been allotted space to begin operations soon. These buses will begin their trips to Chennai, Bengaluru and cities in Kerala from here starting this evening,” A. Mydeen Basha, president of Madurai District Omni bus Operators and Owners Association, said at a press meet on Sunday.

Members of the association said work would begin soon on providing 18 more offices for omni bus operators in the city.

“There are 66 operators who run services out of Madurai and those who don’t have office space at the new bus stand will function out of Periyar bus stand for the time being,” they said.

The bus stand, built at a cost of over Rs.9 crore, and spread over 14.5 acres, was formally inaugurated in February by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa through video conferencing.

The terminus with 18 bays was constructed by the city corporation primarily to decongest areas around Periyar bus stand.

While the bus stand has seats for passengers and toilets, there are no snack shops or food stalls. “A plan to set up shops inside the bus stand for the benefit of the passengers has been proposed and the sooner it comes, the easier it will make for us to begin full-fledged operations,” said a bus operator.