Madurai TNSTC to get 10 AC buses this Diwali

It costs Rs 350 to Rs 400 per person in an AC private bus to places like Coimbatore, Nagercoil and Tirunelveli. Madurai: TNSTC Madurai division to get 10 air-conditioned bus services to provide comfortable journey to passengers bound to nearby cities like Coimbatore and Tirunelveli for this Diwali.

At present air-conditioned bus facility /is being provided only for the longer routes, while private buses rule the roost in mid-range routes.

The buses will have three plus two seating facility with a push back option, officials said.

According to officials, new buses will help them to compete with the private bus operators as there is a growing demand for comfortable journey among passengers. TNSTC could not tap the potential so far due to the absence of air-conditioned buses.

“The buses are expected in a few days’ time so that they can be utilized during Diwali. They will be operated to connect places like Coimbatore, Tirunelveli and Nagercoil.

While AC buses will be provided only in longer routes, these buses will be used to connect shorter distances to cater to the growing demand,” said T Arivanantham, commercial manager of TNSTC, Madurai told TOI.

Read also Maharashtra: Country's first inter-city AC electric bus to hit state highways First BEST electric AC bus to hit the roads from Monday
It costs Rs 350 to Rs 400 per person in an AC private bus to places like Coimbatore, Nagercoil and Tirunelveli.

The price doubles up during weekends and festive season. Another official from TNSTC said that the ticket prices will be more or less equal to that of private buses.

They cannot be priced at much cheaper since private players will increase the price according to the demand to compensate the dull seasons, which is not possible in government buses, he said.

While other TNSTC divisions like Coimbatore, Salem, Villupuram, Karaikudi and Kumbakonam are given special treatment when it comes to new buses allotment, Madurai and Tirunelveli divisions are given step-motherly treatment.

Officials said that Madurai will get a bulk allotment for battery-operated buses, for which order has been made by the state transport department. An official said Madurai division is expected to get 100 to 150 battery-operated vehicles.

The buses are expected before the end of this year, he said.