CHENNAI: Commuters demand direct bus services

By G Saravanan

Published in The New Indian Express, Chennai on July 11, 2011:

Source:http://expressbuzz.com/cities/chennai/commuters-demand-direct-bus-services/292810.html

CHENNAI: Regular commuters living in and around Washermenpet have appealed to the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) to start direct bus services from the Vallalar Nagar bus terminus towards Vandalur Zoo, Tambaram, Anna University (Guindy), Kovalam and Egmore.

“We have been sending representations to the MTC authorities, seeking new services from Vallalar Nagar to these destinations for years, but nothing has materialised yet,” said Abdul Haleem, a social activist and a resident of Pensioners’ Lane in the locality.

Though the terminus is well connected with other part of the city like Thiruvotriyur, Chennai Central, Mylapore, Porur, Villivakkam, Ennore, Avadi, Oragadam, T Nagar, Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) and KK Nagar, there is no direct bus services towards Tambaram, Anna University (Guindy), Kovalam and Egmore from the terminus.

“Since no direct buses are originating from Vallalar Nagar terminus to these parts, local commuters are forced to take a bus till Parry Corner main terminus to complete their journeys,” Haleem added.

“Though bus services to these parts are available from Thiruvotriyur’s Ajax bus terminus via Washermenpet, getting a seat in those buses is a herculean task, as they are fully packed while reaching Mint bus stop,” he added.

“If the MTC officials seriously consider the residents’ plea and start these new services soon, it will be boon for office-goers and college students, who are subjected to ill-treatments in overcrowded buses,” Rukiya Begam, a resident of Mint, told City Express.

From Vallalar Nagar terminus, MTC has frequent services to Vivekananda House, Iyyapanthangal, Villivakkam, Avadi, Pudur, T Nagar Bus Terminus and K K Nagar.