Chennai, The TNSTC will operate 15,659 buses from Chennai between November 5 and 7 to manage the heavy passenger rush for Deepavali, Minister Vijay Tamilan Parthiban said on Wednesday.
Addressing a press conference after a review meeting with transport and police officials, the state Transport minister outlined the arrangements made for the festival. Of the 15,659 buses originating from Chennai, 6,573 are regular services, 7,427 are special buses, and 1,659 are contract carriage buses leased from private operators, he said. To reduce traffic bottlenecks at the Kilambakkam bus terminus, the transport department has introduced 16 boarding points across Chennai for passengers who have pre-booked tickets through the official app, the minister said. Parthiban issued a stern warning to private omni bus operators against fleecing passengers, saying 10 buses had already been impounded for charging exorbitant fares. After rain left passengers struggling in slush during the Ayudha Pooja rush, the department has installed 1.5-foot-high wooden platforms at the temporary bus stands, the minister said.
The minister said the government had doubled the daily batta for drivers and conductors ahead of the festival to recognise their efforts. Alternative transport was provided on the spot to the affected passengers, he said. He said additional seating had been arranged and temporary mobile towers were being deployed to fix network connectivity problems.
