MTC runs special trips for govt. staff

MTC runs special trips for govt. staff

200 buses to be operated for officials residing in different parts of the city

19/05/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ,CHENNAI

Back to work: Secretariat staff arriving by special buses on Monday after the State government allowed 50% of employees to report for duty. R. RAGUR_Ragu

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation has begun bus operations exclusively for government employees working at the Secretariat and other places from Monday. A total of 200 buses would be operated for officials residing in various parts of the city.

A senior official of the MTC said already 175 buses for transporting sanitation and health staff were functioning during the lockdown which began on March 25. With the State government extending the lockdown till May 31 but allowing 50% staff to work in government offices, the MTC has started operating the buses from various bus depots, he added.

More than 25 routes covering all parts of the city including Madhavaram, Avadi, Anna Nagar, Vadapalani, Perambur, Purasawalkam, Mylapore, T. Nagar, Adyar and Thiruvanmiyur, have been identified for this purpose.

The MTC buses are operated deluxe buses and charging deluxe fare, which is double the ordinary fare. The minimum bus fare in deluxe service is ₹11 and maximum is ₹47.

The MTC operates four types of services — ordinary, express, deluxe and air-conditioned.

It is also offering chartered bus services for private companies.

A senior official of the MTC said: “Any industry or commercial establishment located within the 100-km radius of the city wanting to transport their employees to the workplace could contact the commercial department of MTC by sending a request letter addressed to the Managing Director.”