CHENNAI: Even as heavy rain lashed Chennai on Saturday night, around 1.53 lakh passengers travelled out of the city, on special and regular buses, till midnight for their hometowns for the Ayudha Puja and Vijayadashami holidays.
According to data released by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), a total of 3,679 buses, including 2,191 regular services and 1,488 special buses, were operated on October 17 until midnight. Over the three-day period from October 15 till October 17 midnight, a total of 4.15 lakh passengers used the services to travel out of the city.
On October 16, a total of 3,346 buses, comprising 2,191 regular services and 1,155 special buses, were operated, ferrying around 1.47 lakh passengers. On October 15, 2,546 buses, including 2,191 regular services and 355 special buses, were operated, carrying 1.15 lakh passengers.
The special buses were operated from five locations in the city — Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus at Kilambakkam, Poonamallee, Madhavaram, the CMDA truck terminal at Koyambedu and the Maraimalai Nagar truck terminal. As heavy rains flooded the bus termini, roads outside were chocked with slow moving vehicles and buses. Passengers at Maraimalai Nagar also faced difficulties in the muddy ground.
Meanwhile, the transport department has restored the operation of all buses in Kilambakkam and said that temporary bus stands in Maraimalai Nagar and Climate Park near Kilambakkam will be closed on Sunday due to declining number of passengers.