Chennai: Catching an MTC bus seems to be a gamble of late, as complaints of MTC buses skipping stops in both peak and non-peak hours, leaving commuters stranded, pour in. MTC officials admit to receiving such complaints daily, but would not reveal the extent of such violations. However, social media is abuzz with complaints and proof.The MTC has a fleet strength of 4,100 and operates 3,858 services on close to 700 routes, catering to 33 lakh passengers every day.The complaints of skipping stops were mostly about buses on routes such as 91 (plying between Tiruvanmiyur and Kilambakkam), 6D (Toll Gate and Tiruvanmiyur), P91 (Tambaram and Kilambakkam), and 66 (Tambaram and Kundrathur).Sadagopan T, a consumer activist, says the complaints on social media are just the tip of the iceberg. “So many buses skip bus stops, and commuters either do not have time to escalate it to higher officials or they do not even know where to complain,” he said.S Saravanan of Pallavaram says MTC has never been reliable. “I was waiting at the Asarkhana bus stop recently to board a bus to Nandanam. I saw on the Chennai One App that a bus was approaching and I prepared to board. But the bus just zoomed past me and several others who were waiting for it.”“Missing a bus can have various repercussions, such as missing a connecting bus or train, being delayed for job interviews, or being late to work. MTC crew should be sensitised on this issue,” he said.K Arumuga Nainar, general secretary of Tamil Nadu State Transport Employees Federation (CITU), accused the bus crew engaged on a contract basis of such practice. “They do not understand the responsibilities like the permanent employees do,” he said.MTC officials said they receive complaints regarding both permanent and contract bus crews skipping stops. “We are viewing the violation seriously and have started issuing memos to the bus crew concerned. Their perks would be cut, and persistent violations can even result in suspension,” said an official.
