Transport Department to operate nearly 15,000 buses from Chennai for Ayudha Puja

The Transport Department would operate a total of 14,963 buses, comprising regular and special buses, from Chennai to various parts of the State for the Ayudha Puja festival, which will be celebrated on October 19. 

Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, after chairing a high-level coordination committee meeting in the city on Tuesday, said 8,764 regular buses along with an additional 6,199 special buses would be operated from the city from October 15 to 18. 

The buses would be operated from bus termini in Kilambakkam, Koyambedu, and Madhavaram, and Maraimalai Nagar bus stand.

Buses bound for Puducherry, Cuddalore, Tiruchi, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Vandavasi, Polur, and Tiruvannamalai would be operated from the Kilambakkam Bus Terminus.

Buses bound for destinations on the East Coast Road (ECR), Kancheepuram, Vellore, and Bengaluru would be operated from Koyambedu Bus Terminus. The Madhavaram bus terminus would see buses operated to Andhra Pradesh via Uthukottai. From Maraimalai Nagar, buses destined to Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, and Nagapattinam would be operated. 

Following the Ayudha Puja festival, a total of 9,191 buses will be operated between October 20 and 21 for passengers from various towns to return to Chennai. Of the 9,191 buses, 4,382 are regular buses and 4,809 are special buses.  

The Transport Department has opened a round-the-clock control centre to provide the details of the operation of bus services. Commuters can contact 9445014436 to avail the services. A toll-free number, 1800-425-6151, has also been provided for registering complaints of overcharging.

Buses for Deepavali

Similarly, for Deepavali, which will be celebrated on November 8, a total of 15,659 buses will be operated from November 5 to 7, consisting of 6,573 regular buses and an additional 9,086 special buses from the city. After Deepavali, a total of 11,197 buses will be operated between November 9 and 10 from various locations towards the city.

The Transport Minister instructed omni buses owners on the designated locations in the city from which the buses should be plyed, and emphasised that no excess fares should be charged.

Mr. Parthiban warned that strict action would be taken in the event of any violations. The representatives of the private bus owners’ association also participated in the meeting.