As demands go up, govt runs 325 extra buses from Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus

As demands go up, govt runs 325 extra buses from Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus

TNN | Jun 3, 2022, 06.43 AM IST

CHENNAI: To handle the spurt in demand for government buses, the state transport department has decided to operate 325 additional buses from Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus, Koyambedu this weekend.

Official data shows the department through various state-owned transport corporations operates around 2,000 buses from CMBT, Koyambedu every day and close to one lakh people travel on them. But this seems to be inadequate this week due to two major reasons — continuous muhurthams (days considered auspicious for weddings) and parents returning to their hometowns after summer holidays as schools are all set to reopen next week.

On Wednesday night, there was chaos at CMBT due to a bus shortage. "Passengers, particularly travelling to southern districts of Madurai, Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli etc, had to wait for at least two hours to get a bus," said Parthiban, a stranded passenger at CMBT on Wednesday night.

Some of the aggrieved commuters staged a protest as only State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) buses, which collect a higher fare compared to ordinary Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) buses, were operated beyond 9 pm. It took three past midnight for transport authorities to convince the crowd and clear the extra rush.

A senior official at the spot said the sudden surge in demand was unexpected as many, who got to know the status of the train tatkal ticket status late, arrived at CMBT at the last minute.

"Usually, we operate additional buses based on spikes in online ticket reservation. But on Wednesday, there was no such trend as only 5,000 booked tickets till afternoon. However, as a precautionary measure we are operating 325 additional buses this weekend anticipating similar demand," the official said.

On the other hand, private omni buses once again exploited the situation by operating services at twice the usual fare. "No warning seems to stop them from overcharging, and it is happening in the open. The government need not take any special efforts to find out who is fleecing us. All it needs to do is check private online booking sites like Redbus and AbhiBus etc," said K Arun, who paid ₹2,500 for travelling to Madurai this Friday.