CM Flags Off 250 New MTC and TNSTC Buses at Secretariat in Chennai

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay flagged off 250 new buses for the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) and the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) at the Secretariat in Chennai on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The new fleet has been procured at a total cost of ₹290.8 crore.

The induction of the new vehicles is part of a broader government initiative to modernise public transit and curb environmental pollution across Chennai and other parts of the state.

According to an official release, the MTC component of the rollout comprises 130 new low-floor air-conditioned electric buses procured at an outlay of ₹234.50 crore. This marks the initial phase of a larger state government plan to introduce 750 low-floor AC electric buses with a total estimated investment of ₹1,337 crore. Currently, MTC operates 625 low-floor electric buses procured at ₹697 crore across five depots in the city.

Alongside the MTC fleet, the TNSTC launched 120 new buses purchased at a cost of ₹55.58 crore. This roll-out represents the first phase of TNSTC's planned procurement of 1,614 new buses at an estimated cost of ₹756 crore.

During the event held at the Secretariat premises, the Chief Minister boarded one of the newly launched low-floor air-conditioned electric buses to inspect the passenger amenities and onboard facilities.

Minister for Transport A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar, Transport Secretary L. Nirmal Raj, MTC Managing Director D. Mohan, and other senior government officials were present during the flag-off ceremony.