AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

        In order to avoid frequent breakdown of buses, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) would be fitting magnetic plates in service buses which would take MTC routes before regular services begin.

        The magnetic plates will be attached to the front-bottom of the chassis near the front tyres in place of number plate on service buses to attract all sharp, iron-made objects like nails and other micro fillings and picks that puncture the tyres of buses. At present, there are about 15-20 service buses that run across the city and help regular buses during breakdowns. On a trial basis, the MTC has introduced magnetic plates in a service bus at Tondiarpet last week. This service bus covered a range of about 15-20 kms including areas like Tondiarpet, Parrys, Central and Vannarapet and was on duty from 6 am to 10 am daily.

        The magnetic plate was flexible so that it could be taken in and out whenever necessary. Arumugam, an MTC driver, said the magnetic plate would be really helpful as often the buses were vulnerable to breakdowns due to tyre-related problems while commuting on bad and potholed roads.

        'As the service bus is operated before the regular buses, the chance of puncture is very less and it will also help other motorists on the bus-route roads,' he said. There are about 2,600 MTC buses plying in the city. There are complaints of breakdown from 15-20 buses per day. 'We hope the magnetic-plate will reduce the number of breakdowns. It will also help two-wheelers and other vehicle-users. By the end of May, all service buses will be fitted with magnetic plates,' said Balasubramanian, managing director, MTC.

        Further, he said that from 1 April, tyre tubes with four punctures were being replaced with new ones making a departure from the earlier practice of changing the tubes only after they have got at least seven puncture marks, he informed.

        Each magnetic plate costs nearly Rs 7,500. Being pilot-tested, once the new system achieves the desired results, MTC has plans to upgrade the service fleet with high-power magnetic plates which would be more effective than normal ones, even as the former would cost anywhere between Rs 30,000 and 35,000 for a single plate, he said.