The Hindu : MTC faces hurdles to introduction of low-floor buses

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 10, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu-Chennai

MTC faces hurdles to introduction of low-floor buses

By P. Oppili

CHENNAI JUNE 9. A `senior citizen and disabled-friendly' low-floor bus, built by the MTC, is gathering dust at its Chromepet workshop as the Transport Department had refused to give a clearance certificate to the vehicle as its `inner height' is 20 cm more than the prescribed upper limit.

The MTC embarked on the low floor bus project soon after an announcement to this effect in the Assembly. The ambitious project was completed more than a month ago. However, when the MTC sent a blueprint of the model for the Transport Department's approval, the latter cited the increased inner height, and refused to issue clearance.

According to the MTC authorities, the inner height of a normal bus on the rear side would be between 185 to 200 cm. But in the newly built bus, the rear portion has been designed little taller (about 220 cm) than the prescribed height. However, the interior at the front portion was well within the prescribed limits in the new bus, the MTC authorities said.

Two routes were identified by the authorities to operate the new low-floor bus -- Tambaram-Parrys and Tambaram-Avadi. The authorities decided on these two routes since they do not have any speed-breakers, which are the main threat to low-floor buses. Despite the increased height, there is no difference in the capacity, say the MTC officials. Like the other normal bus, the new bus will have seating capacity for 48 passengers and standees will be 25, apart from the crew.

The chassis for the new bus was designed by the automobile major Ashok Leyland and the MTC built the body indigenously.

The commuter-friendly vehicle has a few special features such as imported bellow system for air suspension. The newly fitted bellows will provide an extra cushioning effect, making the journey comfortable for the passengers.

The newly fitted suspension with imported bellows also prevents damage to the lower portion of the vehicle whenever the wheels cross a pothole, say the authorities. Like some of the existing buses, two entrances have been provided in the new bus also.

One at the front and another at the middle, through which the commuters can board or alight from the vehicle without any problem, they say.

In foreign countries, the low-floor facility is operated with a hydraulic system, and once the passengers board the vehicle the low-floor could be raised. Such a vehicle would be a boon to elderly people and the disabled who can board and alight from the vehicle comfortably.

The MTC proposed to introduce 10 low floor buses in its fleet, of which one is ready. Depending upon the response from the commuters more buses would be introduced in a phased manner, added MTC authorities.

It may be recalled that a couple of years ago the MTC on a trial basis operated a low floor bus. However, the service was withdrawn as the Corporation failed to obtain a registration number for the vehicle and instead used a number, which was not allotted to it.

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