The MTC has introduced new bus services on certain routes to make commuting safe for kids.
What’s it about? A month ago, Chief Minister MK Stalin asked CUMTA to ensure safe and hassle-free commuting for school and college kids. Now, the MTC has introduced 20 additional services on 12 congested routes. A field study showed footboard travel in the express and deluxe buses was relatively low compared to normal buses. Until 2019, the MTC got a subsidy to carry about 4.5 lakh students daily.
- The new services will increase the capacity by 22,000 students daily between 8 and 9.30 am. The routes were identified through the field study prompted by the deaths of two students hanging on to MTC buses last October.
- The new services have helped increase patronage for the Perambur – Egmore, Kannagi Nagar – Velachery, and T Nagar – Ambattur IE routes.
Policy and result: Per the government’s policy, school students can travel for free without showing any travel card. With the new services, footboard travel has decreased. Depot managers have met with school management to deploy staff to regulate students while they’re boarding buses.