Lack of proper bus bays for town buses have been causing heavy congestion and chaotic conditions for commuters at the Central Bus Stand in city.
The terminus, which had been functioning at the first platform of the bus stand till 2008, was shifted outside the bus stand to create more space for mofussil buses. Ever since it has been bursting at its seams for want of adequate space and amenities.
The 4.5-acre bus stand is cramped for space even though additional space and bus bays were created in 2008 after the corporation acquired about 1.6 hectares of adjoining railway land. But the additional bays were earmarked for mofussil buses. The town bus terminus was shifted out of the bus stand, by blocking one carriageway of the road.
“The terminus looks to be in disorder. There is no proper system and buses moving bumper-to-bumper often look threatening to the commuters. The corporation should create a bus terminus for town buses at the Central Bus Stand, keeping with the stature of city,” said R. Gopal, a resident.
At any given point of time, about 20 town buses could be seen parked on this narrow carriage way. At peak hours, the number of buses goes up sharply. Although the town buses are supposed to halt one behind the other, several buses operating on the same route, especially on the central bus stand-Chathram bus stand and the central bus stand-Srirangam routes line up one behind the other, creating frequent traffic holdups at the terminus almost right through the day.
Given the stiff competition among the town bus operators, bus crew often indulge in one-upmanship to get ahead and park the vehicles haphazardly triggering quarrels. With buses parked side-by-side, vehicles behind them have a tough time exiting the terminus. Hapless commuters are often at the receiving end.
