MTC introduces special buses to meet festive demands
Posted on: 28/Sep/2017 12:12:35 PM
As a move to cater to the increased demand during festive season, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation has introduced special buses. However, the AC Volvo fleet is reduced by about 80 percent.
According to MTC website, there are 69 AC buses in Chennai city. Nevertheless, department sources say that just 12 to 15 air conditioned buses are functional.
In 2008, about 100 buses were introduced. The fleet strength in Anna Nagar was 50 and the remaining were flying in Adyar. Now, after about 9 years of the launch, there are hardly 4 buses in Anna Nagar and only a total of 15 buses are operational in a daily basis, said an official from depot in Anna Nagar.
The expected revenue is not met in either routes. Hence, a few of these MTC buses are diverted to the other sections in Chennai city. So, right from the first year of introduction, the buses count has started dwindling.
The reasons for lack in number of MTC buses are said to be poor maintenance, non-availability of spare parts and very high operational cost.
At the time of launch, the department had been using duplicate parts as the original parts were priced thrice the price of duplicate ones.
