Getting to Hasthinapuram after 10 p.m. might be a challenging task, especially if you are reliant on public transport. It’s of course different if you own a vehicle or are willing to shell out double the usual fare for an auto ride. Otherwise, be prepared to wait for the bus for at least half an hour.
“The frequency of bus services from Chromepet bus stand to Hasthinapuram is low after 10 p.m. Auto drivers milk this opportunity and demand ₹100 for a ride that is less than 4 km. For those who have to go to areas beyond Hasthinapuram, the rate is higher. Not everyone can pay ₹100 can for an auto ride every day,” says a commuter.
Commuters from areas such as Jain Nagar, Maruthi Nagar, A.K. Nagar and A.G.S Colony in Hasthinapuram have been seeking small bus services between Chromepet and Nemilichery through Hasthinapuram, Jain Nagar, A.G.S. Colony, and Bajanai Kovil Street; and another small bus between Hasthinapuram and Chromepet, through Ganapathypuram and Radha Nagar Chromepet.
“At present, S4 which plies between Nemilicherry and Chromepet covers Rajendra Prasad Road, Mahadevan Street and Radha Nagar but the service does not operate in several areas of Hasthinapuram. Commuters who want to go to Chromepet from Hasthinapuram bus terminus have to walk nearly two kilometres to the terminus, from where they board 66A (Hasthinapuram – Poonamallee) and M52 (Hasthinapuram - Pozhichalur). There are no share-autos plying through Jain Nagar Main Road and auto drivers charge more than ₹70 to go to Chromepet which is just about a 2-km ride,” says K. Sanjaya Kumar, secretary, Jain Nagar Residents Welfare Association.
Commuters also complain that the frequency of route numbers 66A and M18G (Hasthinapuram – Guduvancherry) are low, forcing them to wait for more than 30 minutes at the bus terminus.
“We have given several representations to the Metropolitan Transport Corporation but we have not received any response yet,” says Kumar.
An MTC official said that the commuters’ demand would be looked into and additional services, if required, would be introduced after the Lok Sabha elections.
