30 counters, 5,000 buses to meet Pongal rush

Chennai: The transport department on Saturday announced that it would set up 30 special booking counters in the city to cater to the Pongal rush.

In a first, transport officials have provided facility for passengers to book bus tickets online even from private websites.

The officials said that usually passengers book tickets online using www.tnstc.in website. Now, it has been decided to link this with other private websites.

“Since many people are browsing to book tickets online, we thought and created a link in other websites like www.redbus.in, www.paytm.com and www.busindia.com to book their bus tickets,” said an official.

Further, the department would also set up 30 special ticket booking counters that would function at Puratchi Thalaivar Dr MGR Bus Terminus — known as CMBT, Tambaram Sanatorium, Poonamallee bus stand, Madhavaram Mofussil Bus Terminus (MMBT) from January 9 to January 14, said a press release issued by the transport department.

The department had already announced that apart from the 2,275 regular buses, the department would operate 5,000 special buses from Chennai to various districts all over the state between January 11 and January 14.

A total of 14,263 services would cater to the Pongal rush. Moreover, 10,445 services would ply between districts during the four days.

Between January 17 to January 20, a total of 3,776 buses would be operated from other districts to Chennai. Likewise, as many as 7,841 buses will be operated between the districts and states, read the release.

As is the usual norm, the department has made temporary arrangements to ease the pressure in traffic. “Accordingly, all buses plying towards Andhra Pradesh will leave from MMBT. Buses to Pondicherry, Cuddalore, Chidambaram via ECR would leave from KK Nagar MTC bus depot. Passengers travelling to Kumbakonam, Thanjavur via Vikkravandi and Panruti should board buses from Tambaram Anna bus stand at Sanatorium.

Vellore, Arani, Arcot, Thirupattur, Kancheepuram, Cheyyar and Hosur buses will leave from Poonamallee bus stand. Buses to other places including Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Tirunelveli and Madurai will leave from CMBT.

The transport department along with police personnel would decide on traffic diversion from January 11 to January 14.