In a move to replace some of the ageing buses in the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) fleet, 20 new deluxe buses were launched here on Monday.
All the buses will be operated on inter-State routes and will replace existing buses in the following routes: Puducherry – Tirupati; Pattukottai – Tirupati; Tuticorin – Changanacheri; Tirunelveli – Alappuzha; Tuticorin – Ernakulam; Tirunelveli – Ernakulam; Tuticorin – Guruvayur; Salem – Kozhikode; Velankanni - Kollam; and Sengottai – Ernakulam.
After flagging off the buses, Transport Minister K.N. Nehru said that 80 more buses in the SETC fleet would be replaced by the end of the financial year.
Transport Secretary Atulya Misra said that of the 20,000 State-owned buses under the control of various Transport Corporations, a few had been in service for more than 10 years. “There has been a backlog in fleet replacement for some years. Efforts are being made to phase out the older buses now.”
Awards were presented to drivers and conductors who had been selected for their good conduct and meritorious service. Member of Parliament T.K.S. Elangovan participated in the function.
