Summary:
CHENNAI: A few government buses in Tamil Nadu have been fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS)-based public information systems (PIS). Amid the crowd and noise, commuters are left to seek the help of co-passengers to identify bus stops. Similar to those fitted on local trains, speakers fitted inside these buses will announce bus stops to passengers.In the pilot phase of the project, the setup was installed in 30 different buses operated by Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) Madurai , this week.These buses ply along key routes such as 77B (Mattuthavani to Arapalayam) and 48Y (Mattuthavani to Thirumangalam). Other buses fitted with PIS connect tourist destinations such as Meenakshi Amman Temple and Alagar Koil with various switch-over points in the city.Madurai being a tourist and religious centre, welcomes thousands of tourists and pilgrims everyday, who are not familiar with the city's routes. Each unit was bought at a cost of Rs .25,000 and the firm agreed to install it for free..