Special buses carried over 3 lakh passengers last two days, says Transport Minister

Chennai: State transport minister M.R Vijayabhaskar has claimed that the Deepavali special buses carried around 3.22 lakhs in the last two days.

Addressing reporters after inspecting the Koyambedu bus terminus on Saturday night, the minister said, “Since government announced monday as a holiday, friday alone saw 1.65 lakhs of passengers in 2,973 buses, while 1.60 lakhs of passengers were transported in 2,690 state-run buses.”

Stating that enough precautionary measures were taken for convenience of the passengers,he said, “The transport department is expecting over six lakhs of passengers in the four days. Further, the number of passengers would increase in the next two days.”

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has directed the transport department to handle the passengers with care and protection. “In all the toll plazas located in Chennai-Tiruchy National Highway, separate lanes have been earmarked for government buses and police officials and transport staff are working round the clock to regulate traffic.

“Stern action will be taken against omni buses, which collect exorbitant fare from commuters. We have directed owners of a few omni buses to return the extra money collected by omni buses,” he noted.