CHENNAI: Amid opposition from the employees’ unions, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has issued a work order to Uttar Pradesh based private firm SS Enterprises to outsource bus conductors. The private agency will provide up to 1,797 conductors daily across six regions for an initial 11-month period. As per the work order issued on August 7, MTC will pay a basic monthly rate of Rs 27,679 per person to the firm and the full deployment should be completed in six months time.
The previous government floated a tender to outsource conductors in February and the bids were opened in March. After scrutinising the bids, the MTC has handed over the contract valued at Rs 64.56 crore to the UP firm.
K Arumuga Nainar, general secretary of Tamil Nadu State Transport Employees Federation (CITU), said the employees expected that the TVK government would change the earlier DMK government’s policy of outsourcing the jobs.
“But the TVK government went one step ahead to hand over the tender to the Uttar Pradesh firm. While lakhs of youth of Tamil Nadu are awaiting for job opportunities, the action to allow the Uttar Pradesh firm is worse,” he opined.
He alleged the previous DMK government had a double standard of speaking in favour of social justice and reservation and acting against the same. CITU condemns the same stand taken by the TVK government and the government should cancel the tender, he added.
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss, in a statement, recalled in its 2026 Assembly election manifesto, the TVK had promised to ensure a dignified life and social security for government employees.
Surprise checks at bus stops ordered
Chennai: In a bid to make bus operation in the city effective, the MTC has ordered branch managers, zonal managers, and supervisory officers to conduct surprise inspections at crucial bus stops, particularly during afternoon and evening peak hours to verify whether the buses stop properly.
According to an official circular issued by D Mohan, MTC managing director, recently, the transport corporation has received complaints regarding buses speeding past designated halts. The issue is allegedly rampant during the afternoon and evening hours, when multiple buses arriving at a stop simultaneously choose to skip it entirely.
Furthermore, reports of drivers and conductors misbehaving with commuters who run to board the buses. “Providing a safe, reliable, and excellent public transport service is the primary duty of the MTC,” the circular stated, warning strict disciplinary action will be initiated against the crew if complaints are verified. It mandates ordinary fare buses to stop at all designated stops without fail, while express, deluxe, and air-conditioned services must strictly adhere to their scheduled halts. ens