Chennai: Following the initiation of intermodal square work at the Kathipara Junction and commencement of shuttle services from Alandur Metro station by Chennai Metro Rail Ltd (CMRL), Traffic and Transportation Forum, Chennai, has petitioned Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) to start fresh services from Kathipara Grade Separator (KGS).
Moreover it has also insisted the department to abolish odd numbered ticket fares in these new routes on the lines of CMRL and Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS).
In March this year, CMRL sanctioned Rs 6 crore for the construction of a foot-over-bridge (FOB) across GST Road at Alandur Metro station.
Then, in April, the department revealed that the FOB was a part of an intermodal square planned by them under Kathipara flyover which will have several facilities like a bus terminus where MTC and outstation buses can halt to pick and drop off passengers, a waiting area, ATMs, parking lot, food stalls, public information centre, etc.
The upcoming FOB and an additional footpath will provide access to the square and the total area of construction will be 54,400 square metres with an investment of Rs 14 crore.
Fast foward to August, CMRL commenced feeder services with share autos and taxis at Alandur metro station while the FOB work also got started on the other side.
Finally, during the start of this month, the department commenced air-conditioned van services to DLF IT park following the overwhelming response to its share autos and taxis with one-fifth of the total users in Chennai being passengers from Alandur station.
With CMRL taking these many initaitives, Traffic and Transportation Forum has requested MTC to consider bringing in shuttle services from KGS making Alandur a much bigger transportation hub. Speaking to News Today, the forum’s co-director V Rama Rao, said, “We suggest MTC to operate shuttle services between 8 to 12 km in the following routes with two fare stages Rs 5 and Rs 10. The services can be to Kilakattalai via Nanganallur, Mediavakkam junction via Mount station, CMBT, Tambaram, T Nagar, Poonthamalli, Tiruvanmayur and Velachery MRTS via Thillaiganga Nagar subway. Similar services can also be explored to operate connecting main business routes and bus terminus which may yield more revenue and also eliminate competition.”
“Also, we welcome the introduction of Rs 5 tickets by MTC for some routes and distances. This will attract more passengers to MTC and solve change problems. For a long time, we have been demanding the elimination of odd number tickets (Rs 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 17, etc., and this is a first step towards that. After prolonged negotiations with Southern Railways and MRTS, they brought Rs 5, 10, 15, 20, etc., and experienced increase in ridership,” he added.
PASS PRICE MIGHT INCREASE
Left with no other option to increase its revenue, MTC is likely to increase price of monthly pass from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,300. Sources said with fuel prices going through roof, the Corporation has landed under severe financial crisis prompting officials to take such a decision.
MTC operates around 3,200 buses to various parts of the city and suburbs. After bus fare revision, the revenue dipped to Rs 2.3 crore against its previous Rs 2.85 crore per day.
AIS 052 CODE
Recently Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami flagged off the first MTC bus built as per the specifications prescribed in Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 052 code.
It was introduced in route number 102 from Broadway to Kelambakkam. The union government, some time back, amended the Central Motor Vehicle Order making it mandatory for all state-owned and private bus body building units to obtain AIS 052 code.