Rapidly expanding areas of the city may be preferred for the 100 new services

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) Limited has started identifying new routes to roll out the 100 additional small buses announced by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.

The officials are studying the routes based on the income levels of the people residing in the localities and are also analysing areas where share autorickshaw services dominate. “Those who own cars will not be using the small buses. So, we want the services to benefit those who need it the most,” said a source from the transport department.

Sources state that the mini buses will be rolled out in parts of the city where expansion has been rapid. “Compared to north Chennai, the southern parts of the city are expanding faster. Hence, more routes will be opened in those sections,” added the source.

Senior MTC officials said that the 100 small buses plying across the city, connecting unreached areas, have been fetching good revenue. “Between October 2013 and July this year, over a crore passengers have travelled in the small buses and generated revenue of over Rs. 11 crore,” said the transport department official.

On an average, over 77,500 persons travel by the 100 small buses every day, generating over Rs. 5 lakh.

Each bus fetches an income of Rs. 5,000 every day. The buses are a hit among commuters as they function like share autorickshaws. “Just raise your hand and the vehicle comes to a halt,” added the official.

Many commuters state that the small buses are helpful, especially as it moves slowly through residential localities. “We are saving a lot of money now that we do not have to use autorickshaws,” said M. Saraswathi, a resident of Perambur, adding that north Chennai needed more services.

Meanwhile, residents in Nanganallur pointed out that they too badly needed more small bus services.

Autorickshaws charge exorbitantly for small distances, complained residents. “There is one bus but it does not cover large parts of Nanganallur, especially residential colonies,” said V. Rama Rao, director of Traffic and Transportation Forum.