[1]Chief minister J. Jayalalithaa launched 1,000 new buses on Tuesday as part of augmenting the state transport corporation (STC) with 3,000 buses to improve services and provide better facilities to passengers. With this, the fleet strength of STC has gone past the 20,000 mark. Besides, this is the first time that such a large number of buses are being included on a single day.
The chief minister handed over the keys to drivers of seven buses, marking the launch of 1,000 buses, at a simple function organised at the Secretariat.
TNSTC Villupuram division got a maximum of 195 buses, followed by state express transport corporation – 189, TNSTC Coimbatore - 173, TNSTC Kumbakonam -149, TNSTC Salem – 115, TNSTC Tirunelveli – 95 and TNSTC Madurai – 39, while Chennai’s MTC was augmented with 45 buses, sources in STC said.
The eco-friendly buses would be more comfortable for passengers and the crew. The adjustable seats would add to the convenience of drivers.
“We have achieved the target of 20,000 buses ahead of the deadline,” said a transport official. He added that STC has received 2,173 buses of the planned 3,000 buses with Tuesday’s addition of 1,000.
The state government has purchased 1,173 new buses, in three batches, since it assumed office in May 2011. The remaining 800-odd buses would be hitting the roads soon, the official said.
The chief minister also handed over retirement benefits of Rs32.88 crore to 1,547 transport employees.
She rewarded students from government schools who had secured the top three ranks in the state. She launched free bicycle scheme for 2012 by distributing seven vehicles to students.
Transport minister Senthil Balaji, chief secretary Debendranath Sarangi, transport secretary B.K. Prasad and MTC MD P.P. Rajendhiran were present.
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