Govt allows buses to operate with 100% seating capacity

Govt allows buses to operate with 100% seating capacity

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 08.12.2020

The Tamil Nadu government on Monday passed an order allowing state transport undertakings and private bus operators to run buses with 100% seating capacity. Till now, occupancy was restricted to 60% of the seating capacity.

This order will be applicable for those operators engaged to transport employees of private companies and schools and colleges as well. State transport undertakings can now operate more number of bus services as well by following all standard operating procedures as mandated in the May 31, 2020 government order. This decision comes after deliberations which indicated that buses need to have more available seats as there is an expected increase in the number of commuters.

Around one-third of its fleet strength has been kept idle by Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) which runs bus services in Chennai. MTC owns 3,300 buses.

Though patronage has been improving, officials said many services, especially on uneconomical routes run half-empty even during peak hours.

The transport corporation was operating 600 extra buses to ensure that the standard operating procedures could be followed.

Now, with all seats allowed to be filled, it is likely that the number of services may increase.

This order will be applicable for those operators engaged to transport employees of private companies and schools and colleges as well