AC services from MTC to make city rides cooler

Officials from the corporation said they received a series of requests from commuters in this regard. Sources said that though the MTC has 100 AC buses, most of them were being operated on long-distance routes for better revenue a few years ago. Later, the officials suspended most of the services due to loss of revenue and services within the city were completely stopped. 

Earlier, around 50 buses were being operated from Anna Nagar west and Adyar depots. But at present, the corporation is operating around 20 AC buses in the long-distance routes. 

A senior official, MTC told DTNext “It is a fact that we are inspecting the routes that have more commuters. We will also refer the routes in which AC buses were operated earlier. We are carrying out a pre-feasibility study and, unlike in the past, a considerable number of buses will be operated next month. Based on the response, additional buses will be operated in May and June.”

 When asked about operation of buses in city, the official replied, “Everything is under consideration and there is a possibility to operate AC buses in the city.” Meanwhile, MTC commuters say that AC services should be increased during summer. 

“There were frequent AC services from Koyambedu terminus some years ago and I preferred to travel in them during summer. But things have changed. The officials have suspended most of the services and AC buses are rare now,” said K Prabhakaran, a regular MTC commuter. 

Commuters also suggested that the AC buses should be properly maintained. “Earlier, the AC buses had damaged floors and dangling seats resulting in less people preferring the service,” said K Raja, a techie, who takes AC buses frequently.