Lesser buses irk commuters

CHENNAI:  A purported dip in the fleet strength of route number 1 bus service of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation has evoked sharp criticism from passengers across the spectrum. Due to the decline of the only service connecting Anna Salai and Thiruvanmiyur via Mylapore and Royapettah, office goers and patients, who depend heavily on this bus route, complained that they had been pushed to hardships.“Route number 1 is one of most popular series in city and is operated at a frequency of five minutes,” said Mani, a resident of Thiruvanmiyur and an employee of a private firm on General Patters Road. “However, the frequency of the service has been dragged to about 10 to 15 minutes in the past few months. Ordinary services such as the one from white board buses have become rare in route number 1,” he complained.The bus service on this route is one of the oldest operated by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation in Chennai. Route number 1, shuttling between Tiruvanmiyur in the southern tip of Chennai and Thiruvottiyur in the northern periphery of the city, is one of the most sought after fleets as it covers arterial roads such as Anna Salai, RK Mutt Road, LB Road, and pass through areas such as Parrys, Royapuram and Kal Mandapam.Of late, the MTC has also introduced new routes between Thiruvanmiyur and Thiruvottiyur, including A1 (Central - Thiruvanmiyur), T1 (Royapuram Madha Kovil - Thiruvanmiyur) and 1C (Ennore - Thiruvanmiyur). Air-conditioned Volvo buses were being operated from Central Railway Station to Thiruvanmiyur.Ironically, even the air-conditioned bus services in this route had been reduced, claimed another passenger. According to her, there were three air-conditioned buses plying on route number A1 earlier. “It was very convenient for the office goers boarding the bus from LIC stop during the evening hours. Now, it appears that only one AC bus is on the road,” she explained.Another commuter alleged that when he approached the MTC officials at the Thiruvanmiyur terminus, they informed him that route number 1 services were being diverted to 21 H (Broadway - Kelambakkam) route during rush hours.When contacted, a senior official with MTC strongly denied that any of the services was withdrawn. “We are operating close to 40 services between Thiruvottityur, Ennore, RMC, Central railway station and Thiruvanmiyur on route number 1 series, which include two air-conditioned buses.”