MTC to Introduce Premium and Economy Seats on Kilambakkam and Siruseri Bus Routes
The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has announced plans to introduce a dual-class premium and economy seating system on its high-end bus fleet, which includes Route 91 connecting Kilambakkam and Tiruvanmiyur. The transit agency has submitted a design proposal to the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) to split the buses into two distinct travel zones in an effort to boost low ridership on these routes.
Under the proposed system, the front half of the buses will retain premium features such as cushioned seats, free Wi-Fi, and pre-booking options. Meanwhile, the rear half will be converted into an economy section with regular air-conditioned bus seats that passengers can board on the go. No standing passengers will be allowed in either section.
The premium buses were originally launched in March on two specific routes: Route 91, which connects the Kilambakkam transit hub with Tiruvanmiyur, and Route 570S, which connects CMBT with the Siruseri IT Park. These buses were initially introduced to cater to IT professionals commuting to work, with fares ranging from ₹50 to ₹150.
However, the high-end service has faced low patronage, with buses often running nearly empty because seats could only be reserved through pre-booking. This led to the vehicles being mockingly labeled as "ghost" buses on social media.
To address this, the MTC plans to rework the interior layout of the fleet. A senior MTC official confirmed that a design proposal has been sent to the ARAI for the necessary approval and certification required to split the vehicles into two segments.
Once approved, commuters will have the flexibility to board the bus on the go and pay regular AC fares ranging from ₹15 to ₹80 to travel in the economy section. Passengers will also have the option to upgrade to the premium section after boarding if they choose to pay the premium fare.
If the premium-economy hybrid model proves successful, MTC officials stated they plan to expand the concept across their entire fleet of 225 air-conditioned buses.
