Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Special bus services bring cheers to transport corporation officials

MADURAI: Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) Madurai Division has achieved a new high in its three-day Deepavali operations through special bus services, according to official sources.

In view of Deepavali, the TNSTC authorities had arranged specials from and to different destinations in this part of the State from October 25 to 27.

The Madurai Division comprises Madurai, Tirunelveli, Nagercoil, Dindigul and Virudhunagar districts.

It operated about 4,000 buses this Deepavali against 3,800 buses in 2007. The division posted a total revenue of Rs. 3.50 crore against Rs. 2.20 crore last Deepavali.

Madurai alone accounted for Rs. 1.01 crore (October 26), against Rs. 82 lakh collected last year.

Officials claimed that in 2007 they operated limited night service but in view of the demand from commuters the TNSTC decided to operate round-the-clock service on select routes on the eve of Deepavali.

During the three days, the number of passengers travelled stood at 53 lakh against 34 lakh the last Deepavali season, sources said and added that the fleet had covered about 55 lakh kilometres against 46 lakh kilometres during 2007 Deepavali.

Despite charging flat fares, which was higher than the normal fares, many commuters welcomed the availability of services even at odd hours, crew members said.

TNSTC Madurai Division Managing Director P. P. Rajendran said that due to mobilisation of spare buses and cooperation extended by employees, they were able to achieve such a record high in fare collection.

TNSTC Staff Federation general secretary T. Thirumalaisamy and CITU deputy general secretary V. Pitchai said that the employees had been instrumental in achieving this new high.

The corporation should take up settling some of the dues such as Provident Fund payable to its employees as it would be a morale booster to the staff, they said.

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