Stopping of bus service criticised

The decision of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Limited (TNSTC), Erode Division, to suspend the direct bus service from Erode to Tiruchendur and vice versa has come in as a great shock to the passengers and the devotees who question the reason behind the decision.

Two buses were operated by the division to Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy temple from Erode everyday that received good patronage in all these years. While one bus would start from Erode at 9.10 a.m. and reach the temple at 5 p.m., the other bus would start at 7.30 p.m. and reach the temple at 3.30 a.m. the next day. Devotees in the district find it convenient with the services as the bus drops them at the temple entrance. But the services were stopped to the temple from September 7 and currently the buses were operated till Tuticorin.

The stoppage of service was seen as a big blow to the devotees as they said that in the absence of trains at convenient time, the bus service was their only option to reach the temple. A devotee said that after offering prayers in the temple in the early hours, they would catch the same bus at 8 a.m. and reach Erode in the evening.

Since the bus service is very convenient, we could often visit the temple, said D. Jothimani of E.K. Valasu.

Sources in department said that in the 55-seater bus, 30 seats were usually reserved by the devotees while other seats were open tickets.

The patronage is very good in all these years, the source added. It is said that bus operated from Gobichettipalayam, Tirupur and Coimbatore to Tiruchendur was also stopped recently to favour a private omni bus operator who has planned to begin service to Tiruchendur. Senior officials of TNSTC refuse to comment as devotees continue to suffer.