Chennai: If you have travelled in a crowded Metropolitan Transportation Corporation (MTC) bus and pushed your way to the front, the chances of getting your feet burnt from the hot fumes of the engine are very high. Ironically, people have started believing that the infrastructure of every bus is such, like a stove.
The reason for this is, however, only the pure negligence of MTC, as they do not close the engine lid with clamps. As a result, the lid often opens, letting hot fumes out.
“Every week, the depot manager checks buses to ensure their proper condition. But, when this problem is cited, action is never taken. They say the department is running at a loss and will not be able to provide new clamps,” said driver, K. Chandra, adding that the clamps don’t cost more than Rs 100.
While some drivers are buying clamps with their own money, some are tying the engine cover down with a rope and placing a heavy stone to ensure stability. But this adds to the woes as the lid still slips posing risks of accidents.
Another issue that remained unattended for a long time is the broken driver seat. Ninety per cent of bus driver seats are either supported with a rope or just a wooden plank with no support.
Babu. S, a driver, said the authorities shooed him away when he had raised the problem with them. They told him he could use the vehicle or if he wishes he could quit his job. After a huge ruckus, they had it changed.
“As we drive for more than six hours a day, a proper seat is most important. If it is unstable, hands and legs become numb and it is akin to sitting on a stone. Because of this a driver cannot focus on the road,” he added.
K. Anbazhagan, secretary of Nethaji Transport recalled the mishap in 2012 when a bus toppled on Gemini flyover as the driver had lost control due to his unstable seat. He said, despite that the authorities took no efforts towards the betterment of buses.
M. Chandran, Vice President, Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) also said a bus must ideally run for seven years. But, they run for more than 15 years.
