Chennai Local Transport

Chennai is one of the largest cities in India and therefore requires an effective local transport system to enable people to commute within the city. Although there are various means of public transport available in Madras, motorcycles, mopeds and motor scooters are still very popular. This is because they are affordable, fuel efficient, maneuverable and require lesser parking space. The transportation network of Chennai is user friendly and provides coverage and connectivity. To make things more convenient for the travelers, the city has been undergoing construction of flyovers at important roads and junctions. Read on to know more about modes of local transport in Madras.

Bus

Buses are the primary source of transport in Chennai. The bus service in the city is run by the government-owned Metropolitan Transport Corporation. These buses cover almost the entire city as well as the nearby suburbs. The bus service is usually comfortable, with an exception of being crowded sometimes.

Auto Rickshaws

Auto rickshaws are a comfortable way of traveling within the city. Usually the autos are metered, but it is good to fix the fare before they take you for a ride. Autos are expensive as compared to buses and suitable for covering short distances within the city.

Taxis

Taxis are quite popular amongst the tourists who come to explore the city. These taxis are best preferred when you have to travel a long distance and require a vehicle for a long period of time. Taxis charge according to the distance they will cover and are preferable if you are traveling with a group.

Other Means of transport

Apart from all the above, there are a number of transport options available for the people in Chennai. You can hire Vans, popularly known as Maxi Cabs, which run on different routes in the city. There is a mini private bus service operating in the suburban area of Chennai. Besides, there is Chennai suburban railway network, which has four broad gauge rail sectors, connecting the suburbs with the city.

TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT

CITIZENS CHARTER 2001-2002

INTRODUCTION

There are 18 Transport Corporations functioning in the State. The dates from which the Corporations were formed, their principal area of operation and other details are indicated below:

Sl.No.	Name of the Corporation	Date of Operation	Principal area of operation	Fleet as on 31.03.2002
1.	Metropolitan Transport Corporation Chennai Limited	01.01.72	Chennai Metropolitan Area	2834
2.	State Express Transport Corporation	01.04.80	Tamilnadu & inter state	903
3.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram Division-I)	16.01.75	Villupuram & Cuddalore districts	1049
4.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram Division-II)	01.12.82	Vellore & Thiruvannamalai districts	836
5.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Villupuram Division-III)	01.04.92	Kancheepuram & Thiruvallur districts	753
6.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Salem Division-I)	15.02.73	Salem District	924
7.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Salem Division-II)	01.04.87	Dharmapuri district	680
8.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Coimbatore Division-I)	01.03.72	Coimbatore & Nilgiris districts	1554
9.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Coimbatore Division-III)	01.04.83	Erode district	919
10.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Kumbakonam Division-I)	01.03.72	Tanjore, Nagapattinam & Thiruvarur districts	938
11.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (KumbakonamDivision-II)	01.04.85	Trichy, Karur & Perambalur districts	965
12.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Kumbakonam Division-III)	01.04.83	Karaikudi, Sivaganga & Ramanathapuram districts	588
13.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Kumbakonam Division-IV)	16.03.96	Pudukottai	352
14.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Madurai Division-I)	17.01.72	Madurai	931
15.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Madurai Division-II)	01.01.74	Tirunelveli & Thuthukudi districts	819
16.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Madurai Division-III)	01.04.83	Kanyakumari district	676
17.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Madurai Division-IV)	01.04.86	Dindigul district	710
18.	Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation (Madurai Division-V)	01.05.97	Virudunagar district	366

The following are the services available to public:

1. FREE PASSES TO STUDENTS STUDYING UPTO XIITH STANDARD

Students free bus passes are being issued to the students studying from Ist standard to XII Standard in the Government recognized schools to travel between their residence and school.

Procedure & Rules for obtaining free passes

The schools recognized by the Government shall apply to the Managing Directors of Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai and other State Transport Undertakings) to include their school name in the list of approved schools eligible for the issue of free passes, with a copy of the recognition order. As soon as the request is received from the school, action will be taken to include the name of the school in the list. The School will be attached to the depot which is situated near to the school for issuing free passes and as the same will be intimated to the school. Then the school will have to approach the concerned depot Branch Manager for receiving the free pass application forms based upon their requirements.

Students should apply for the free passes with two photos of size 3.5 x 5 cms. One photo of the students should be pasted on the application and the same should be attested by the head of the institution and the other photo copy should be sent to the respective depot along with the application for being pasted on the free pass cards. The free pass applications duly filled up and signed by the head of the institution should be sent to the respective depot. These applications will be fed into the computers and free passes will be printed at Headquarters and sent to the respective depots within three days. The school authorities can collect the free passes from the concerned depots for issuing the same to the students.

Other details of the scheme can be obtained from the PRO of the State Transport Undertakings.

2. CONCESSION TICKETS ISSUED BY THE METROPOLITAN TRANSPORT CORPORATION (CHENNAI)

(a) Free pass – for students up to XII the Std., of recognized schools

(b) 50% Concession tickets & students token : Students above XII the Standard of all the Arts Colleges, recognized by the Government (except Self Financing Arts & Science colleges), Technical Institutions (I.T.I. Polytechnic and Engineering), and Medical Colleges (M.B.B.S. and other Branches of medicine) could travel in buses between residence and college. The evening college and Technical Education part time students are also eligible for concession tickets from their office to College and from College to residence. In addition to this, travel tokens at a cost of 70 paise each up to a maximum of 60 tokens per month can be availed for visits to specific places such as library etc. Cost of students concession tickets are given below.

For First 2 kms - Rs.19/-

Up to 4 kms - Rs.24/-

Up to 6 kms - Rs.26/-

6 kms and above - Rs.28/-

(c) Monthly Season Tickets are being sold by collecting 40 trips the LSS fare from the origin to destination with permission to travel 60 trips (daily 2 trips)

(d) Travel as you please Tickets:

Passengers can avail Travel as you Please Tickets

1. Holiday one-day ticket - Rs.30/-

2. Weekly Ticket - Rs.160/-

3. Monthly Ticket - Rs.600/-

These tickets are issued as per the conditions printed on the ticket.

3. FREE PASS TO PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS

Physically handicapped persons having a disability of 40% and above and having monthly income not exceeding rupees 1000/- are eligible for getting free pass.

Procedure adopted for issuing the free pass

The disabled persons may contact the District Rehabilitation officer concerned with medical certificate indicating percentage of disability and two passport size photos in order to receive the Identity card. He/She should meet the District Rehabilitation Officer concerned with two Xerox copied of ID Card, Income Certificate, Xerox copy of ration card school/college Bonafide certificate or employment certificate and receive his recommendation in the I.D.Card. The concerned P.R.O. of State Transport Undertakings may be contacted with two passport size photos and I.D. card recommended by District Rehabilitation Officer concerned for obtaining bus pass.

4. FREE PASS TO MENTALLY RETARDED PERSONS

This travel pass is issued to mentally retarded persons with escort. The disability percentage shall be 40 and above and monthly income should not exceed Rs.1000/-.

Procedure adopted for issuing the free pass

The procedure is similar to that for physically handicapped persons

5. FREE PASS TO BLIND PERSONS

All blind persons having a disability percentage of 40 and above can avail this pass without age limit.

The procedure is similar to that for physically handicapped persons.

6. FREE PASS TO FREEDOM FIGHTERS & THEIR LEGAL HEIRS /LANGUAGE STIR PARTICIPANTS

Freedom Fighters and their legal heirs and participants in the language stir who are residents of operational area are eligible for free passes.

Procedure adopted for issuing the free pass

The Freedom Fighter/Participants of Language stir may approach the concerned PRO/Officer of the State Transport Undertakings with their original Pension order for receiving the application form. The applicant should submit the duly filled application form with the signature of a Gazetted Officer on the photo affixed on the form along with two photos and Xerox copy of the pension order. Free pass will be issued after scrutiny of the application form.

7. FREE PASSES TO CANCER PATIENTS

If a cancer patient travels alone in the bus and produces a certificate from the hospital the conductor should collect ¼ of the journey tickets amount from the patient and should issue actual journey ticket and for the balance amount the conductor will retain the certificate issued from the hospital.

8. PUBLIC COMPLAINTS

Commuters in Chennai city can make complaints against the conductors, drivers and operation of bus services to the following address:

1. Managing Director, MTC (Chennai) Ltd.,

2. Public Relations Officers, MTC (Chennai) Ltd.,

They can also lodge their complaints and suggestions over phone to PRO/MTC in the following telephone numbers between 10.00 hrs to 17.45 hrs. Urgent complaints if any can be lodged to the wireless round the clock service in Telephone Nos. 25386655, 25385454 or 25366063 Exn.239/205. Complaints received from the public regarding the operation of the bus services will be sent to concerned officers and the same will be rectified at the earliest.

Similar facilities are also available in other State Transport Undertakings.

9. LUGGAGE FARE

Passengers can carry hand bags, small box up to 20kg. free of charge. The luggage fare for items meant for sale is given below.

(a) For vegetable baskets or gunny bags up to 20 kgs. Minimum fare Rs.3/- or single journey fare for the distance involved which ever is higher.

(b) For luggage more than 20 kgs. Minimum fare Rs.6/- or twice the journey fare which ever if higher.

10. BREAKDOWN SERVICE

If the operation of the bus is disturbed due to mechanical problem, the driver of the bus will park the breakdown bus close to the kerb of the road without hindrance to the traffic flow.

The conductor of the breakdown bus will sign on the rear side of the tickets and stop the on coming buses and make facilities for the stranded passengers to travel further.

After transporting all the passengers the conductor transmits the message regarding the break down either to the depot or to the wireless control room. On receipt of the message the control room Supervisor will send the mobile squad to attend the repairs of the breakdown vehicle and ensure that the vehicle is repaired and sent on line without delay.

In case the repairs cannot be done at the breakdown spot, the breakdown bus will be taken to the depot on tow by using a lorry / wrecker. The concerned depot will carry out the necessary repairs and send the bus on line at the earliest.

11. THEFT/ATTACK/DAMAGE TO BUSES

(a) If any passenger reports that a theft has occurred in the bus, the driver and the conductor will take the bus immediately to the nearest Police Station without stopping enroute and will hand over the complaint given by the passenger to the Police Officer.

In case the theft suspects are identified, the co-operation of the passengers will be requisitioned to hand over the suspects to the Police Station.

(b) If the duty driver, conductor or passengers are attacked, efforts are to be made to handover culprits to the nearest police station, if necessary with the help of the able-bodied passengers.

12. ACCIDENTS INVOLVING STATE TRANSPORT BUSES

(a) The crew of the bus should report to the Accident Branch and to the nearest Police Station about the location, time, accident details, Route No. Fleet No. Registration Number, details of other vehicles etc. immediately.

(b) The injured persons should be taken immediately to the nearest Govt. Hospital and arrangements made for giving medical treatment.

(c) The vehicles involved in the accident will be parked close to the kerb of the road without hindrance to the traffic flow after marking the wheel position of the accident vehicles.

(d) The driver and conductor should give statement about the accident to the Traffic Inspector, Accident Branch of the State Transport Undertakings and also to the Police. Further they should also co-operate with the investigating Traffic Inspector of Accident Branch and the Police in getting clues and necessary witness to investigate the accident.

(e) The injured persons are to be taken to the hospital immediately and in case no other vehicle is available for transportation, the injured could be taken by the same bus.

Procedure adopted for settling Award amount in Accident Compensation claims

Accident victims of the State Transport Undertakings Buses, can file claim petitions before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal for compensation for injuries sustained by them or for loss of life of relatives. In the event of awards being passed by the Tribunals, the award amounts will be deposited into the Courts. Motor Accident Claims Tribunal Original Petitions referred to Lok-Adalats (Courts) are also negotiated by the committee setup for the purpose and settled by the mutual consent of victims and State Transport Undertakings.

13. HIRING OF BUSES BY GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS & PRIVATE PARTIES

I. For one day (24 hours or part thereof) Govt. Dept. Private Party

(Amt. in Rs.)

1. For the first 350 kms per day in plain 6000 6500

2. For the first 200 kms per day in ghat 6000 6500

3. For every additional KM in plain 15 15

4. For every additional KM in ghat 15 15

II. Where the borrowing department does not hand over the vehicle within 24 hours, the following penal charges shall be paid by the borrowing department or party concerned.

(a) For a delay of over one hour but not exceeding 4 hours (i.e., where the bus is returned after 1 A.M. but before 4 A.M.) one fourth of one day’s hire charges.

(b) For a delay of over one hour but not exceeding 4 hours (i.e. where the bus is returned after 1 A.M. but before 4 A.M.) one fourth of one day’s hire charges.

(c) For a delay of over four hours but not exceeding six hours (i.e. where the bus is returned after 4 A.M. but before 6 A.M.) one fourth of one day’s hire charges.

(d) For a delay exceeding 6 hours (i.e. where the bus is returned after 6 A.M.) one day’s hire charge.

Further details of terms and conditions of hiring can be obtained from the P.R.Os of the Transport Corporations.

14. LOST PROPERTY ENQUIRIES

Passengers who lose their belongings during travel in buses may approach PRO over phone or through letter with details. The loss will be enquired in detail. If the belongings are available in office the same will be intimated to the passenger. The affected person can get back the items after submitting proper identification of the lost articles. On restoration of the articles, a small amount is collected from the passenger as storage charges and 50% of this amount will be paid to the conductor and Driver who have handed over the articles at the office.

All enquiries regarding lost property shall be made to the Public Relations Officer, Pallavan House, Anna Salai, Chennai – 600002 , from 10.00 A.M. to 5.45 P.M. on all working days. Phone No. : 25385151, 25366063 Extn. 236/205

B - STATE EXPRESS TRANSPORT CORPORATION

The State Express Transport Corporation provides long distance services, both with and outside the State. All major routes are covered by Express buses, both ordinary and deluxe.

In addition to the services indicated in the proceeding paragraphs, the State Express Transport Corporation is also doing the following:

Reservation facilities are provided in all important places in Tamil Nadu. Reservations can be made 30 days before the date of journey. The following are the reservation centers where computerized reservation can be done.

1. Chennai – Parrys

2. Chennai – T.Nagar

3. Chennai – Tambaram

4. Chennai – K.K.Nagar

5. Chennai – Triuvotiyur

6. Chennai – Thiruvanmiyur

7. Chennai – Avadi

8. Coimbatore

9. Kumbakonam

10. Kanyakumari

11. Madurai – Periyar

12. Madurai – Mattuthavani

13. Nagercoil

14. Nagapattinam

15. Pondicherry

16. Salem

17. Thanjavur

18. Trichy

19. Tirunelveli

20. Tuticorin

21. Bangalore

22. Ernakulam

23. Thirupathy

24. Thiruvananthapuram

Manual reservation can be done in the following centers.

1. Athur

2. Chidambaram

3. Kambam

4. Chennai – MUC

5. Dindigul

6. Dharmapuri

7. Erode

8. Chennai – Egmore

9. Hosur

10. Krishnagiri

11. Karur

12. Kovilpatti

13. Karungal

14. Myladuthurai

15. Mannargudi

16. Marthandam

17. Neyveli

18. Nammakkal

19. Pattukottai

20. Papanasam

21. Palani

22. Perambalur

23. Pollachi

24. Rasipuram

25. Rameswaram

26. Rajapalayam

27. Shencottah

28. Thiruvarur

29. Thenkasi

30. Thiruchendur

31. Udumalpet

32. Villupuram

33. Vadasery

34. Vellore

35. Vellangani

36. Guruvayur

37. Mysore

38. Bodi

39. Chingleput

40. Devakottai

41. Karaikudi

42. Kizhakarai

43. Kumuli

44. Mettur

45. Paramakudi

46. Pudukottai

47. Ramnad

48. Sivaganga

49. Theni

The departure timings are exhibited in the Notice Board and also announced through mike at all major bus stands.

Enquiry facilities are provided in all bus stands and time-keeping points.

Place	Telephone No.	Place	Telephone No.
Chennai	25341835	Madurai	585838
Coimbatore	494969	Nagercooil	233431
Marthandam	670097	Nagapattinam	42455
Ernakulam	372616	Pondy	203464
Kanyakumari	346019	Salem	446041
Karaikudi	437697	Shencottah	332216
Kumbakonam	431251	Thanjavur	330950
Thirupathy	25324	Tirunelveli	322023
Tindivanam	22134	Tuticorin	345340
Trichy	460992

C - TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT FINANCE CORPORATION

Transport Development Finance corporation Limited was formed in 1975 for the purpose of mobilising funds from the General Public and to utilize the same in the Nationalised Bus Transport System in Tamilnadu. TDFC has been registered as Non Banking Finance Company with the Reserve Bank of India (Registration No.07.004/03). Reserve Bank of India has classified TDFC as a Hire Purchase Company. For the last 25 years TDFC had mobilized and financed Rs.4813.84 crores to State Transport Undertakings in Tamilnadu mainly for the procurement of 31761 buses. As on date TDFC has got 2.10 lakh depositors with a deposit base of Rs.872.32 crores as on 31.03.2002.

1. DEPOSITS SCHEME

Though most of the depositors are located within Tamilnadu, considerable deposits are also received from other parts of country. TDFC accepts deposits under two different schemes. The minimum deposit amount is fixed as Rs.10000/- and the minimum period of deposit is one year and the maximum period of deposit is five years.

Based on the option of the depositors, interests are paid on monthly/quarterly/annually under the Periodic Interest Payment Scheme(PIPS). Under the Money Multiplier Scheme (MMS) the depositor can collect the accumulated interest along the deposited amount on maturity.

2. INTEREST RATE

TDFC follows the rules and regulations relating to the acceptance of the deposit as stipulated by the Reserve Bank of India for Non Banking Finance Company. Though it has been exempted for all such norms except Registration. The rate of interest on the deposit offered is fixed based on the money market condition and it always between one percent to two percent higher than the rates offered by the commercial banks for similar deposits. The interest is compounded monthly. At present the rate of interest for deposits for 36 months and above is 9.75%.

3. BRANCHES

To enter to the needs of depositors located at the mofussil centers four branches are functioning at the following places.

1. Madurai

2. Trichy

3. Coimbatore

4. Erode

4. INTEREST PAYMENT OPTIONS

Depositors can opt one of the following to receive their interest payments

1. Interest Warrant either monthly/quarterly or annually are sent to the depositors directly.

2. The Interest amount will be directly debited to Depositor’s bank account under intimation

3. Interest payment through Electronic Clearing Service (ECS) for depositors located in Chennai.

4. For outstation depositors Post-dated Interest Warrant for each financial year as a whole is sent in advance at the beginning of the financial year, at the request of the depositors.

D – INSTITUTE OF ROAD TRANSPORT

The following Institutions are functioning under the control of the Institute of Road Transport.

1. PERUNDURAI MEDICAL COLLEGE

In this Medical College M.B.B.S., course with 5 ½ years duration (i.e., 4 ½ years study + 1 year Training) is offered with a total seat of 60 and out of which 40 seats being the open quota are filled up by the Government similar to the lines adopted for filling up the seats in Government Medical Colleges and the remaining 20 seats are filled up from among the wards of the employees of State Transport Undertakings.

2. INSTITUTE OF ROAD AND TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGY, ERODE.

An automatic Research oriented Engineering College known as Institute of Road and Transport Technology was started in 1984 at Erode. The following B.E., degree courses approved by All India Council of Technical Education are offered.

1. Automobile Engineering

2. Civil Engineering

3. Computer Science and Engineering

4. Mechanical Engineering

5. Electronics and Communication Engineering

6. Electrical and Electronics Engineering

The total available seats are 300, out of which 50% seats being the open quota are filled up by the Government similar to the lines adopted for filling up from among the wards of the employees of State Transport Undertakings. In addition, under lateral entry scheme for 3 year diploma holders, are taken into second year of the 4 year B.E., course. Out of 30 seats 50% are filled up by the Government and the remaining 50% are filled up by the wards of the employees of State Transport Undertakings.

Besides the above B.E., courses, the college also conducts a three year M.C.A. course. Total seats available are 60 and out of which 30 seats are filled up under open quota and the remaining 30 seats are filled up by the wards of the employees.

3. POLYTECHNICS

There are three polytechnics run by the Institute of Road Transport at Chrompet (Chennai), Bargur and Thirunelveli. The following three diploma courses are available.

i) Electrical and Electronics Engineering

ii) Electronics and Communication Engineering

iii) Computer Technology

Total seats available for 3 polytechnics are 360 at the rate of 120 seats for each Polytechnic. 50% seats are filled up under open quota by the Principal of the concerned Polytechnics following the norms laid down the Government and 50% seats are filled up from among the wards of the employees of the State Transport Undertakings.

In addition under lateral entry scheme (11 year Diploma) 10% of the seats in academic streams and 10% of the seats under vocational streams in sanctioned streams are filled from the candidates who have passed +2 and based on eligibility conditions laid down by the Director of Technical Education. As such 24 seats are available at each Polytechnics (12 under open quota and 12 under reserved quota).

DRIVER TRAINING CENTRES

The Institute of Road Transport is conducting three months Heavy Vehicle Driver Training course at Gummidipoondi and at 14 Transport Corporations Training Centres for those who have passed 10^th standard and are having Light Vehicle License with one year experience. The course fees is Rs.16,200/-. The candidates are selected by open advertisement in newspapers.

The following Training Courses are conducted at Chrompet and Trichirapalli.

a) Light Motor Vehicle (Proficiency Training) – 4 weeks at a fee of Rs.2400/-

b) Light Motor Vehicle Training – 4 weeks at a fee of Rs.1500/-

c) Two wheeler Training – 2 weeks at a fee of Rs.800/-

Chennai

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Friday, September 12, 2008