Showing posts with label Train/Bus info. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Train/Bus info. Show all posts

Friday, March 1, 2024

Go digital: No need for exact tender in MTC, SETC buses in Chennai

Go digital: No need for exact tender in MTC, SETC buses in Chennai

Transport Secretary Phanindra Reddy said the UPI payment system will soon be extended to TNSTC buses.


Udhayanidhi Stalin distributing electronic ticketing machines to conductors in the presence of Transport Minister S S Sivasankar at a function in Guindy | express

Updated on:29 Feb 2024, 7:42 am

CHENNAI: Commuters in Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) and the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) buses can pay for their tickets through UPI, credit, or debit cards from now on. Launching the cashless payment system on Wednesday, Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin distributed 26 electronic ticketing machines (ETM) to conductors in the presence of Transport Minister S S Sivasankar at a function held in Guindy.

During the same event, he also flagged off 50 BS VI non-AC buses for MTC that were purchased for Rs 20 crore and launched the home delivery of new driving licences, renewed licences, registration certificates and other vehicle and transport-related documents to applicants.

Alby John Varghese, Managing Director, MTC, told TNIE that the digital payment system will be rolled out on 129 buses operating from the Central bus depot from Thursday onwards. “Within the next two to three weeks, all MTC buses will be equipped with the cashless payment system,” he said.

Varghese further said that the initial batch of 50 new buses for MTC arrived on Wednesday, and 50 more are expected to arrive soon. “These 100 buses will be distributed among eight to nine depots, improving connectivity to the new Kilambakkam terminus and other areas. Additionally, the number of services via Chennai bypass (CMBT - KCBT) will be increased,” he added. MTC operates buses on 696 routes with a fleet capacity of 3,150 vehicles and carries around 31 lakh to 32 lakh commuters a day.

Official sources from SETC said, “Electronic ticketing machines have been introduced on buses running to Rameswaram, Gudalur, and Kanniyakumari from Chennai. Following a trial period, this system will be expanded to all routes in the coming days. Travellers will be able to make payments using credit and debit cards, as well as UPI applications.” The SETC carries about 75,000 commuters a day with a fleet strength of over 800 buses.

The implementation of electronic payment systems in public transport corporations in the state has long been overdue. Difficulties in tendering exact change for ticket fares had many times led to verbal altercations between commuters and conductors. In response to numerous complaints, on November 1 last year, the MTC issued a circular specifically instructing conductors not to demand exact change from commuters during the journey.

Explaining the ordeal, an MTC bus conductor said, “The problem of demanding exact fare was a result of lower denomination currencies (Rs 10, Rs 20, and Rs 50) and coins becoming scarce among commuters. Small vendors and street traders have also largely shifted to UPI as ATMs mostly dispense only Rs 200 and Rs 500 notes. This cashless payment transition will benefit both bus crew and travellers.”

Transport Secretary Phanindra Reddy said the UPI payment system will soon be extended to TNSTC buses.

Thursday, February 29, 2024

சென்னை மாநகர பஸ்களில் யு.பி.ஐ. மூலம் டிக்கெட் பெறும் வசதி அறிமுகம்

 சென்னை மாநகர பஸ்களில் யு.பி.ஐ. மூலம் டிக்கெட் பெறும் வசதி அறிமுகம்

 தினத்தந்தி பிப்ரவரி 28, 4:00 pm 

 இனி சென்னை மாநகர பஸ்களில் யு.பி.ஐ. மூலம

https://www.dailythanthi.com/News/State/introduction-of-ticketing-facility-through-upi-in-chennai-city-buses-1095431

Sunday, September 11, 2022


Skywalk at new Kilambakkam mofussil terminus?

The new mofussil bus terminus in Kilambakkam could get a rail link via a skywalk, as the State government is considering the feasibility of this, official sources have said.


Published: 10th September 2022 06:18 AM |


The bus terminus is set to be launched by December | martin louis


Express News Service

CHENNAI: The new mofussil bus terminus in Kilambakkam could get a rail link via a skywalk, as the State government is considering the feasibility of this, official sources have said. The bus terminus, built at a cost of Rs 393.74 crore to improve connectivity to south Tamil Nadu, could face accessibility issues as passengers would have to depend on Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses to get there. It is expected to be inaugurated by December end.

The initial September deadline promised by Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) member secretary Anshul Mishra after the Assembly session could not be met. A feasibility study is being conducted to build a skywalk linking the bus terminus to the Vandalur station.

While efforts are on to meet the December deadline, officials are looking at various alternatives to improve connectivity from the outskirts to the city. With the Chennai Metro Rail expansion from Chennai Airport to Kilambakkam unlikely to materialise in the next couple of years, the State is now looking at providing a rail link to help commuters reach the city quickly, sources said.

It is learnt that Indian Railways is examining the possibility of building an additional platform that could be linked to the proposed skywalk. Sources said the Railways is particular about the space required. But the government seems keen to start the work before the bus terminus is inaugurated and the Railways concurs.

The skywalk and additional platform at Vandalur station will take nine months to build. This platform will cater only to suburban trains, said sources. Kilambakkam could become the next transport hub, with the State government conducting a feasibility study on linking Phase-II of Chennai Metro Rail’s Corridor 3 (between Madhavaram and Siruseri) with Kelambakkam and Kilambakkam.

As for the proposal for a Metro link between Kilambakkam and the airport, the stretch has not yet been considered under the second phase of the Chennai Metro. Sources said it will be included in this phase, but funding issues could delay the project.

Sunday, July 17, 2022

Friday, June 3, 2022

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.

Saturday, March 12, 2022

NEWS TODAY 27.03.2024