Operation of MTC buses in Chennai plus other buses across TN to get affected from this June end!!
Posted on: 26/Jun/2023 9:16:50 AM
By the end of this June month, about 600 to 700 employees belonging to the transport corporation would be retiring. This might affect the operation of various buses.
Already there is an acute shortage of drivers and conductors and the retirement of drivers and conductors would add to the woes of the transport corporations.
It is well known that 8 transport corporations including MTC and SETC together have a fleet strength of 20127 buses. In this, there are as many as 18723 scheduled buses and 1404 spare buses that are operated on over 10,000 routes in TN. The total staff strength is 1.16lakhs that includes drivers and conductors also.
Since 2014 onwards, non recruitment of drivers and conductors has been affecting the operation of buses in the state. The sources from the transport corporations have revealed that about 600 to 700 employees would be retiring by the end of June. It is noteworthy that the retirement of drivers and conductors would further lower the staff`s strength. The trade unions have been opposing the appointment of the drivers on contract basis plus on the utilisation of the retired drivers and conductors etc. From 144818 employees present on 3rd March 2015, the strength has come down to 116259 employees on 28th February 2023.
Fresh recruitments would be the most effective way to overcome the shortage of drivers and conductors.This was pointed out by Mr. Arumugha Nainar,general secretary of CITU affiliated TNSTEF. He spoke about how from 2014 onwards there has been no replacements for the retired employees of the transport corporations.
