CHENNAI: Despite numerous appeals to the concerned authorities, poor frequency of MTC buses is a matter of concern to the residents of Nanganallur and Pazhavanthangal localities. The situation turned worse after the revision of bus fares in January 2018, rue residents.
A Raghavan, a resident of Nanganallur said, “For the past few days, the department is not operating M21G (Nanganallur to Broadway via Marina Beach). We either have to travel to Alandur or Guindy to board a bus plying on a similar route. Also, the frequency of 18R (Nanganallur-Central) has reduced.” He said that the mini-bus service in the area is also not frequent.
Residents complained that they rarely see S11 (Alandur metro-Moovarasampet) and S85 (Alandur metro to Velachery) buses. “We either have to depend on autos or cabs to reach the railway station/bus stand due to lack of small buses. We see these buses only once or twice in a day. Also, the Metropolitan Transportation Corporation (MTC) can at least extend the routes of a few buses, if not increase the number of buses. For example, S18 plying between Velachery and Nanganallur can be extended up to Alandur metro either via Thillaiganganagar subway or Pazhavanthangal subway,” said P Balachandran, a regular commuter.
V Rama Rao from the Traffic and Transportation Forum, said the closest MTC bus stop to the Nanganallur metro station is at least 1.5 km away and that they have been awaiting feeder services since the metro opened in 2015.
Responding to this, a senior official from MTC said that despite poor patronage, additional buses have been added recently in a move to address commuter woes. “M21G has been rerouted, but all the other buses are running. Initially, we were running three 18R services, now it has been increased to four. Regarding the small buses, the department will ensure frequency.”