Metropolitan Transport Corporation's monthly season passes now all-time high

Chennai: After bus fare revision in the state, the number of passengers having monthly season passes and single route monthly pass has touched an all-time high. Data available with the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) show that around 21.5 lakh passengers have received such passes as of now. However, it has affected daily collection.

Sources said that ever since the transport department hiked the bus fare across the state earlier this year, the number of passengers opting for government buses has been on the decline. Particularly, the MTC suffered a big loss after fare revision, as count of commuters in the city took a heavy dip. Sources added that before fare revision, there were around 50 to 60 lakh of passengers who preferred MTC a day, however, the number dropped to 35 lakh to 40 lakh after fare revision.

“Left with no option, many passengers started preferring to get weekly, single route monthly pass, seasoned monthly pass and other type of passes. So, the number had gone beyond 20 lakh. Further, working people in large number have received monthly passes at the cost of Rs 1,000,” said a branch manager in a depot.

Meanwhile, such facilities have reduced a daily collection leaving the conductors disappointed. “Unlike in the past, the number of passengers preferring MTC buses is considerably low. For instance, if there are 20 passengers in a bus, half of them have monthly passes. Under such circumstance, how can daily-collection will increase,” said a conductor. Despite knowing this, the officials force them for more collection, he lamented.

When contacted, a senior official claimed that many passengers, who previously opted for different modes of transport, have again started preferring MTC buses. “Issuing free and monthly passes will not affect revenue. The fact remains that monthly passes will bring assured revenue in every month,” he said, adding that they were taking necessary steps to improve the revenue.