MTC likely to begin services from Monday

MTC likely to begin services from Monday

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:18.06.2021

The demand for public transport is getting more intense, and Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) might resume government bus services in Chennai from Monday but with restrictions.

A Tamil Nadu transport department source said that half the bus fleet might be operated for the first one week with 50% seating capacity so that there was no crowding inside the vehicle and at bus stops.

“We are expecting the chief minister (M K Stalin) to make the formal announcement before Saturday. In case the government permits MTC to resume operation, all buses were serviced and kept ready so that they can be operated on alternate days. During the one-day break, buses will be taken to depots for disinfection,” the source added, requesting anonymity.

Alongside bus maintenance, MTC has also intensified vaccine drives for its employees. Of the total 24,000 staff (including drivers, conductors and technical crew), around 60% of the workforce has already received their first dose of vaccination, according to official data on Thursday evening.

More camps were planned in the next three days at bus depots to ensure that maximum workforce was available for duty from Monday, said a senior MTC official.

K Anbalagan from SVSAAP transport workers' union said that the vaccination programme, which was slow early, gained momentum this week and depot authorities called up individual drivers and conductors to check their vaccination status.

"However, there is a sense of fear among employees as they have received only the first dose. Besides this, some of them are still hesitant to get vaccinated because of misconception about side-effects. So MTC should take more steps to create awareness among them," he said.

Given the limited number of cabs in city roads, autos turned out to be the most accessible urban commute option this week. "People, who want to avoid crowded share autos, can opt for regular auto rides. But not all can afford it everyday," said transportation activist R Rengachari.

T Sadagopan, a residentactivist from Avadi said, even those who have private cars or bikes are not in a position to use them because of the increase in fuel cost. "Employees, who are stuck in their native districts, are unable to reach industries, shops and hotels are unable to get back to work because of the lack of buses," Sadagopan said.

Even if bus services are resumed, inter-district buses might not run from Monday as infection rate is high at 10 or more districts in the state.

A state transport department official said that half the bus fleet might be operated for the first one week with 50% seating capacity so that there was no crowding inside the vehicle and at bus stops