The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) is planning to commercially utilise bus termini in strategic locations across the city.
The MTC, which is facing a severe financial crunch and losing out on commuters after the steep hike in fares, is exploring the possibility of using its premises ‘vertically’ for increasing revenue generation.
“The bus termini could be commercially exploited, as buses need only the ground floor for operational purposes. In such a scenario, huge space is being wasted, though there is a good opportunity to earn revenue by putting the premises to better use,” an official said.
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The State Transport Department has selected a few bus termini as part of the first phase of the project. The T. Nagar bus terminus has gained prominence in the list because of the ongoing Smart City project there, involving construction of a pedestrian plaza and a multi-level car park on Thyagaraya Road.
“T. Nagar bus terminus is on our radar as the Smart City project will attract more footfalls to the commercial locality,” the official said.
“We are thinking of using the bus terminus for a combination of commercial and residential projects, with MTC offices located on the mezzanine floor,” he said.
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On reports that MTC bus services would be shifted to other depots in the wake of the commercialisation drive, he said that it would continue to function as a bus terminus.
A senior MTC official said that a number of buses which previously terminated at Saidapet bus terminus have been extended to T. Nagar to cater to the needs of commuters. “In such a situation, how could MTC think of shifting the bus services,” he asked.