The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) will soon use small buses, plying the city and its suburbs, as feeder services for the Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS).
There are a total of 17 MRTS stations across the city and every day, over 78,000 passengers use the services. Stations such as Chennai Park Town, Thirumylai, Thiruvanmiyur and Velachery have good patronage as bus stops are located nearby.
However, around ten stations, including Kotturpuram, Chepauk, Light House, Greenways Road and Perungudi, do not have proper connectivity to main roads. Passengers are forced to walk for a minimum of one kilometre to reach the nearest bus stop.
“Some passengers hop into an autorickshaw to reach their destination and they get fleeced,” said S. Uma Maheshwari, a frequent commuter who alights at the Greenways Road station.
To help such passengers, the MTC will be operating the small buses as feeder services. “We will soon be running small buses to and from the stations, especially during peak hours. The MTC’s revenue will also increase through this service,” said a source from the MTC.
Women passengers feel the feeder service would be beneficial as they feel unsafe walking up to the stations. “The stretches leading to the stations are often poorly lit and in poor condition. If the small buses are introduced, we can be dropped at the entrance of the station itself,” said Ms. Uma Maheshwari.
At present, the MTC is operating 50 small buses on 20 routes mainly covering the southern suburbs and some parts of the city.
“There is ample parking space at all the MRTS stations and currently, autorickshaws use the space. This can be used by the small buses,” said the source.
Senior MTC officials said the small buses would also be used as feeder services for Metro Rail once it becomes operational.