CHENNAI: Regular bus commuters have long complained that Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has reduced the frequency of small buses and scrapped operation along some routes beyond Tambaram. MTC, however, denied such claims and said there has been no reduction in the number of small buses operated in the past year.According to official data, daily footfall recorded per bus fell from 625 in 2017 to 565 now. There has been a decline in patronage by 10% during the said period.In 2013, late chief minister J Jayalalithaa launched 200 small buses across Chennai to improve last mile connectivity. The project became an instant hit as the buses connected several unserved areas with main roads and were able to conveniently navigate along small lanes at a better pace despite traffic jams.According to state transport department’s policy note for the year 2018-19, 189 small buses were operated on 82 routes and there were 21 spare buses.A senior MTC official said they were not able to operate 15 small buses on a daily basis due to high rate of absenteeism among drivers and conductors. When put together 35 buses lie idle at various bus depots everyday.“The patronage has come down on many routes. But we continue operations along all the 82 routes,” the official added.But regular bus users rejected this claim. Devika Vyas, from Perungalathur, claimed small bus services along route number S90 (Tambaram-Gundumedu) was stopped citing poor patronage. “When the services are irregular, how will people wait for the buses at stops with trust?”During a recent meeting held in October, Adambakkam Residents Welfare Association complained that despite high patronage, small bus services along routes such as S85 and S11 connecting Alandur Metro Station to Velachery and Moovarasanpet respectively were irregular.MTC officials, however, argued that they are spending more than what they earned for these buses. Official data showed that while MTC earned Rs 30 per km through these buses and Rs 40 per km (almost on a par with a regular bus) was spent on them.V Rama Rao from Traffic and Transportation Forum, claimed that even the frequency of regular bus services have been reduced.“As a result, waiting period for commuters has increased from 20-30 minutes to a minimum 40 minutes,” he added.

Stay updated with all the Chennai Latest News headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.