Tamil Nadu to buy only AC buses for public transport, says Minister Parthiban

The Tamil Nadu government will exclusively purchase air-conditioned (AC) buses for its public transport fleet in the future, Transport Minister Vijay Tamilan Parthiban announced in Chennai. The policy shift aims to modernize the state's public transit system and improve passenger comfort in the region's hot and humid climate.

According to Minister Parthiban, the decision to halt the purchase of non-AC buses aligns with Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay’s vision to make public travel more comfortable for commuters. The state government intends for all future bus procurements to follow this policy, ensuring that every new vehicle added to the fleet is fully air-conditioned.

The government expects the transition to AC-only procurements to improve the overall passenger experience. By upgrading the fleet, officials aim to encourage greater use of mass transit systems across both urban and rural regions of Tamil Nadu. Minister Parthiban explained that the decision follows recent public transport expansions and the Chief Minister's ongoing push to modernize the state's bus network.

This policy announcement follows the high-profile launch of 300 new state buses last week, which were flagged off by Chief Minister Vijay. That recent initiative introduced a mix of diesel and BS-VI compliant CNG vehicles to the state's transport network.

These 300 newly launched buses are currently set to be deployed across the state’s eight transport corporations. During the launch event, Chief Minister Vijay personally rode one of the newly introduced buses, using the opportunity to interact directly with commuters and transport staff about the service.

Highlighting the necessity of the upgrade, Minister Parthiban noted that the decision directly addresses the hot and humid weather conditions experienced across the state. He reiterated the administration's goal, stating that the Chief Minister wants the people of Tamil Nadu to travel comfortably in air-conditioned buses.