3,365 Chennai Students Use Expanded MTC Free School Bus Scheme on Day One

On Monday, 3,365 students from corporation and government-aided schools travelled on the Metropolitan Transport Corporation's (MTC) exclusive free school buses in Chennai, marking the first day of the expanded transit initiative. The services, which were flagged off in the Saidapet constituency, aim to reduce student dependence on crowded regular public buses during peak commuting hours. The buses pick up children from designated points near their neighbourhoods and drop them directly inside their school campuses.

The MTC was already operating 25 of these dedicated school buses prior to the expansion. The free transit facility has now been extended to 44 more schools across the city and its suburbs, bringing a larger number of students under the transport scheme.

Saidapet MLA Arul Prakasam flagged off some of the newly expanded services in his constituency on Monday. To observe the launch firsthand, the legislator also travelled along with the school students on one of the bus routes.

According to MTC Managing Director D Mohan, girls made up about 80 percent of the total beneficiaries who used the service on the first day of the expanded roll-out. Mohan stated that the corporation expects even more students to utilize the facility in the coming days, noting that at least 4,200 students can commute comfortably using these exclusive buses.

The MTC is reimbursed for running these services through the government subsidy linked to the student passes issued to school children. Although bus crews did not insist that the children present their student passes on Monday, transport officials confirmed that this rule would be strictly enforced in the future. Officials explained that enforcing the pass system later on will ensure that only students use these dedicated buses, which will help to prevent any untoward incidents on the vehicles.