Chennai: Chennai which boasts of comprehensive bus service facility than any other metropolis in the country is now bearing the wrath of commuters for its delayed services and substandard infrastructure.
Even though the transport department officials claim to have regularized services post Vardah, commuters complain of various lapses — collapsed bus shelters and lack of technological assistance.
With growing metro traffic, responsibility to be effective lies big on Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), which manages over 3,500 services a day.
DC correspondent visited bus depots and found out that the service has to go a long way to increase the patronage. However, commuters cannot expect changes in the near future.
“New buses to the city can be expected only at the end of next year. Talks are on with the officials to bring the policy,” a senior official said. The official also admitted that more than 60 per cent of vehicles have poor infrastructure, having crossed the legal limit of 15 years in service. This has put drivers in constant pressure to complete the assigned trips, without delays.
“We are experiencing many breakdowns in the recent past. It is difficult to reach on time, with a bad conditioned vehicle amid traffic congestion. Even if we would be late, we refrain from rash driving,” said a bus driver at Mylapore.
Drivers also attributed the reasons for delay to severe traffic congestion owing to metro rail construction. “The ongoing metro construction has caused gridlocks in Anna Salai and other main routes. How can we ensure timing in such situations?” questioned an MTC driver.
It has become an ordeal for commuters, who are ardent users of MTC bus services. “Delayed service has become a routine now. In T. Nagar Depot, drivers make unwanted delays and waste around 10 to 15 minutes. Though they provide frequent services, there is no surety of timings,” said Aditya, an IT professional.
With the basic amenities like — providing schedules, hygiene and repairing the bus shelters — being not addressed, residents question the need of smart city. “Over 50 per cent of bus depots in the city are unhygienic – with inaccessible restrooms and heaps of garbage around. Would the smart city at T Nagar be the same?” questions Anupriya Murugesan, a social worker.
The department is far behind in terms of technological usage, as the schedule on MTC website does not include all buses. “There seems to be no way to find out the information about bus schedules. Neither are they mentioned on bus stops norare smart phone applications reliable,” said Sathish, an IAS aspirant, complaining that there has been constant change in the night trips off late.
“As I am preparing for competitive examinations, classes may extend to late hours and I find it difficult to rely on MTC buses while returning home,” he added. While the introduction of small bus service garnered appreciation initially, poor frequency has put commuters in great inconvenience.
“Mini bus service is so effective, for people living in tail-end areas. However, when it comes to frequency and providing schedules, it is the same as the usual buses,” said Soumya, who works in a call centre.
