Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has also sanctioned Rs 17.99 crore to fix tracking devices and panic buttons in 13,490 buses.
Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has ordered the allocation of Rs 500 crore to purchase 1,000 new air-conditioned buses for the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) in Chennai, according to reports by Urban Acres and Deccan Chronicle.
The MTC currently operates 355 air-conditioned buses. The new procurement aims to modernise public transport and increase the availability of climate-controlled services in the city.
In addition to the new buses, the state has sanctioned Rs 17.99 crore to fix vehicle location tracking devices and panic buttons in 13,490 buses across eight transport corporations. These systems will be connected to a central control centre to monitor the speed, routes, and real-time movement of vehicles.
The panic buttons are designed to provide a direct link to the central control centre during emergencies. Once used, the location of the bus can be tracked to arrange integrated assistance, which is intended to improve safety for women and children.
The announcement does not specify the procurement schedule, delivery timelines, or the specific routes for the new buses. Further details regarding the implementation and the operational costs of the expanded services are awaited.
