Chennai, Nov 10:
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has sanctioned the induction of 1,000 air-conditioned electric buses into the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) fleet, alongside a capital grant of Rs 500 crore to modernize depot infrastructure across Chennai.
The expansion will be executed under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model during the 2026â27 fiscal year to accelerate public transit electrification and bring down urban carbon emissions. The Rs 500 crore infrastructure outlay will fund high-tension electrical substations, dedicated charging bays, transformer installations, and automated maintenance gantries across designated MTC bus depots.
MTC currently operates a fleet of 755 electric buses across the city, of which 355 are air-conditioned. State transport officials stated that the incoming fleet of 1,000 e-buses will feature low-floor accessible boarding, real-time GPS tracking integrated with mobile passenger apps, CCTV surveillance, and automated fare collection systems to provide a comfortable transit option for city commuters.