MTC Chennai adds 41 special buses to reduce overcrowding on regular routes

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai, will deploy 41 additional special buses for school students from July 13, expanding its dedicated transport network to ease overcrowding on regular services during school hours.

In a post on X, MTC said the initiative is "to facilitate school students in undertaking safe journeys without crowding."

With the expansion, the corporation will operate 41 dedicated school buses daily across 84 routes, connecting residential areas with schools during morning and evening hours. The buses are expected to make 134 trips each day.

According to MTC, the additional services are intended to improve safety and provide a more comfortable commute for students who currently travel on heavily crowded public buses during peak hours.

The decision follows a field assessment carried out by transport officials, including a 10-day survey in Saidapet and other localities where a large number of school students depend on MTC services.

During the exercise, officials interacted with students, parents, teachers, and school authorities to assess travel patterns, identify congested routes, and evaluate the need for dedicated school buses.

The survey was conducted after Saidapet MLA Arul Prakasam submitted a representation to Transport Minister A Vijay Tamilan Parthiban on June 30, requesting improved bus connectivity for students in the constituency.

Based on the findings, MTC submitted a report to the state government, which subsequently approved the expansion of the dedicated school bus network.

Before the expansion, the corporation operated 25 school special buses serving 25 educational institutions with 50 trips daily.

Minister Parthiban inspected the newly introduced buses on Saturday ahead of their rollout. He was accompanied by MTC Managing Director T Mohan and other senior transport officials.

MTC said it will continue to monitor passenger demand after the new services begin and will consider introducing additional school special buses on other routes if required.