Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai)

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Ltd. (MTC), is the agency that operates the public bus service in Chennai, India. It is a subsidiary of Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd. As of August 2024 the MTC had a total fleet of 3,376 buses with 3,233 scheduled services, with on average 5.092 Million passengers on an average per day. On March 22, 2016, the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways reported that Chennai had the most crowded buses in the country with 1300 passengers per bus in each direction per day. During peak hours, on some routes, a bus with a capacity to accommodate 80 persons carries twice the number of people due to the extensiveness of the system. It has an operating area of 3,929 square kilometres (1,517 sq mi). MTC has a total of 668 routes with its largest terminus being Broadway in Central Chennai.

Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Ltd.

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Mānakara Pōkkuvarattu Kaḻakam (Ceṉṉai)

Formerly	Pallavan Transport Corporation Dr. Ambedkar Transport Corporation
Parent	Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd.
Headquarters	Pallavan House, Anna Salai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Locale	Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Service area	Chennai Metropolitan Area
Service type	Ordinary, Express, Deluxe, Air Conditioned Deluxe and Small Bus
Daily ridership	3.127 million per day (2023-24)
Operator	Government of Tamil Nadu
Website	https://mtcbus.tn.gov.in

Heatmap of the coverage of public transportation in Chennai City

History

Pallavan Transport Corporation & Dr. Ambedkar Transport Corporation

The Pallavan Transport Corporation Ltd was established on 1 January 1972 with a fleet strength of 1,029 buses. The operational jurisdiction is the Chennai Metropolitan area. It served 176 routes and had 8 depots, including those at T. Nagar, Adyar, and Vadapalani. Depots at Anna Nagar and K.K. Nagar were established in 1973. The Pallavan Transport Corporation was split into two and a new Corporation, namely, Dr. Ambedkar Transport Corporation Ltd. started functioning from 19 January 1994. The depots in the northern areas of the city were brought under Dr. Ambedkar Transport Corporation Ltd and the southern depots came under Pallavan Transport Corporation. Pallavan Transport Corporation was renamed as Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Madras Division - I) Limited and Dr. Ambedkar Transport Corporation was renamed as Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Madras Division - II) Ltd., on 1 July 1997. In order to make the Corporations viable, and for better administrative control, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Madras Division II) was amalgamated with Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Madras Division I) Ltd on 10 January 2001.

Present Day

As of 2012, the corporation operates 42,961 services daily in 800 routes. The driver strength at MTC is 5,000 as against a required driver strength of 5,800.

In May 2017, the MTC had a scheduled fleet of 3688 buses and total fleet strength of 3968 buses.

2018 Price Hike

On 20 January 2018, the MTC introduced a controversial rise in fares with minimum fares for ordinary buses going up from Rs 2 to Rs 5, and maximum fare going up from Rs 12 to Rs 23, the fares were also hiked for other categories of buses with the minimum fare for Express buses becoming Rs 8 and maximum becoming Rs 35 while the minimum fares of Deluxe buses were Rs 12 and maximum fares Rs 48, this was the first such price hike since 2011. This was followed with an increase in the number of deluxe buses (from 900 to 1200) which were the costliest buses. This led to a 30% fall in the number of daily passengers within 3 months. The MTC had projected a 40% rise in daily revenue from Rs 25 million to Rs 40 million but ended up receiving only Rs 28 million in daily revenue i.e. a 12% increase.

Increase Over the Years

Description/Year	1972	2020
Depots	8	33
Fleet	1,029	4,599
Scheduled Services	892	5,099
Route	209	895
Employees	20,159	24,202
Passenger/day	2.2 million	5.8 million
Collection/day	₹0.4 million	₹26.1 million
Occupancy ratio	NA	71.42%

Fleet

The total size of fleet of the MTC is 3688, of which 3492 buses are operated every day on an average. MTC operates over 5000 services daily covering about 830 routes. The last time buses were added to the fleet was in January 2020.

Per RTO rules, an MTC bus could accommodate a maximum of 83 passengers, including 48 sitting and 27 standing. However, buses carry over 160 passengers in some routes, especially during peak hours, with many travelling on the footboard of the bus resulting in several accidents. According to Union Transport Ministry of India on March 22, 2016, Chennai was reported to have the most crowded buses in the country with 1300 passengers per bus per day per direction. This is due to the extensive routes the buses ply to and also the cost which is reasonably less than some of the major cities in the country. An exclusive and efficient BRTS on dedicated elevated roads is being proposed by MTC as well as the Tamil Nadu Government in order to improve the share of public transport. For a city like Chennai, ideally more than 60% of the people should be using public transport systems. However, owing to its vehicle density which is the second highest in the country, only 40% of the citizenry use public transport which is quite low.

Deluxe bus from Ashok Leyland

An ordinary fare (white board) bus

MTC's Tata Marcopolo Bus

New vestibule bus with LED display

An MTC AC bus

A MTC SLF plying route 21G

Normal buses These buses in the MTC fleet were manufactured by Ashok Leyland and Tata Motors. These buses were launched in the 1990s and some continue to ply while the majority have been replaced in favor of newer buses.

Semi-Low floor buses The semi-low floored and deluxe buses have improved passenger amenities like improved lighting, plastic moulded seats and driver operated pneumatic, doors into its fleet. The first set of such buses from Ashok Leyland were introduced in February 2007. The newer range of these semi-low floor buses supplied under JNNURM are BS-III compliant and have LED displays. Some continue to ply while most of them are replaced by newer buses

Vestibule services MTC also runs articulated buses provided by Ashok Leyland in congested routes. The fares are similar to those of ordinary services. These buses have 2 conductors, plastic moulded seats and LED boards. Around the end of 2017, some of these buses are condemned and no longer in service.

Air-conditioned buses MTC earlier operated low-floor Volvo B7RLE air-conditioned buses on selected routes. There were 100 of these buses running on select routes at regular intervals when they were introduced. They stopped operating in 2018 owing to poor and higher cost of maintenance, and replaced in favor of newer Ashok Leyland electric buses.

Small buses MTC has launched small-bus services to connect remote places of Chennai and its suburbs. These buses are provided by Tata.

MTC Fleet Over the Years

Year	No. of buses on road	No. of buses off-road	Total
2007 – 2008	2,344	287	2,631
2008 – 2009	2,792	370	3,162
2009 – 2010	2,958	327	3,285
2010 – 2011	3,007	355	3,362
2011 – 2012	3,034	374	3,408
2012 – 2013	3,027	356	3,383
2016 – 2017	3,797	167	3,964
2017 – 2018	4,091	182	4273
2018 – 2019	5,092	194	5286

Services

• Ordinary Pink City Service: It is a non-AC bus service with 2+2 bench type non-reclining seater seats built on single-axle Ashok Leyland chassis with a brown-cream livery with front and back sides in pink. Female passengers can travel for free on these buses.
• Ordinary City Service: It is a non-AC bus service with 2+2 bench type non-reclining seater seats built on single-axle Tata chassis with a brown-cream livery.
• Mini Bus Service: It is a non-AC mini bus service with 2+2 bench type non-reclining seater seats built on single-axle Ashok Leyland chassis with a grey livery. It was launched to connect remote places, suburbs and also act as a feeder service.
• Deluxe City Service: It is a non-AC bus service with 2+2 non-reclining seater seats built on single-axle Ashok Leyland or Tata chassis with lesser stops and a red livery.
• Deluxe City AC Service: It is an AC bus service with 2+2 non-reclining seater seats built on single-axle Ashok Leyland or Tata chassis with lesser stops and a new red-grey livery.

Depots

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation had 33 depots in 2020, each with an average parking capacity of 200 buses. Besant Nagar and M.K.B Nagar depots became defunct in 2020 and was merged with Adyar and Vyasarpadi respectively. This number has fallen to 31 in 2022. In 2023, a new Kilambakkam depot was opened as part of the Kilambakkam Bus Terminus bringing the number of active depots to 32.

The 34 depots of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (as of 2023) are listed below:

MTC Depots

Depot	Depot code	Old code	Region	Fleet strength	Scheduled services
Adambakkam	AB	NIL	Adyar	51	47
Adyar	AD	B	Adyar	158	156
Alandur	AL	K	Thiruvanmiyur	115	111
Ambathur	AM	E	Anna Nagar	153	143
Anna Nagar	AN	H	Anna Nagar	172	166
Avadi	AV	X	Anna Nagar	160	152
Ayanavaram	AY	C	Ayanavaram	134	129
Basin Bridge	BB	NIL	Madhavaram	40	38
Besant Nagar (defunct 2020 merged with Adyar depot)	BN	NIL	Adyar
Central Depot	CD	NIL	Ayanavaram	145	141
Chromepet - I	CR	W	Chromepet	156	147
Chromepet - II	CW	NIL	Chromepet	58	56
Ennore	EN	K	Tondiarpet	55	53
Iyyappanthangal	IY	Y	Vadapalani	139	130
Kannagi Nagar	KA	NIL	Thiruvanmiyur	24	22
Kilambakkam	KB	NIL	Chromepet	77	70
K.K.Nagar	KN	G	T.Nagar	157	148
Kundrathur	KU	NIL	T.Nagar	31	29
Madhavaram	MV	F	Madhavaram	101	98
Mandaveli	MN	J	Adyar	56	54
MKB Nagar (defunct 2020 merged with Vyasarpadi depot)	MB	NIL	Madhavaram
Padiyanallur	PL	NIL	Madhavaram	84	81
Perambur	PR	S	Ayanavaram	137	129
Perumbakkam	PA	NIL	Thiruvanmiyur	75	73
Poonamallee	PM	V, Z	Vadapalani	161	159
Saidapet	SP	M	T.Nagar	86	84
Tambaram	TA	O	Chromepet	171	162
T.Nagar	TN	L	T.Nagar	58	56
Thiruvanmiyur	TR	R	Thiruvanmiyur	107	103
Thiruvottriyur	TV	N	Tondiarpet	86	82
Tondiarpet - I	TD	A	Tondiarpet	110	107
Tondiarpet - II	TW	T	Tondiarpet	55	53
Vadapalani	VP	D	Vadapalani	168	158
Vyasarpadi	VY	P	Madhavaram	101	96
Total				3,381	3,233

Routes

All routes operate in both directions, similar to the MTC control system in Chennai, and are effective in the regions of Thiruvallur, Chengalpattu, and Kanchipuram

Cut Service Bus Routes

The aforementioned cut services primarily function as feeder services for depots such as Alandur, M.G.R Central, Tondiarpet, Thiruvottriyur, Thiruvanmiyur, Vadapalani, Iyyappanthangal, Poonamallee, Perumbakkam, Saidapet, Avadi, Ambathur, Adyar, Ayanavaram, Anna Nagar West, Kalaignar Nagar, Madhavaram, and Perambur, in addition to regular routes including 26, 102, and others.

Route	Starting Point	Ending Point	Route Description
2A	Anna Square	M.G.R Central	War Memorial, Pallavan Salai
3	Tidel Park	Guindy Race Course	S.R.P Tools, Tharamani, Velachery
5C	Broadway	Adyar	M.G.R Central, P.OR.R Sons, L.I.C, Royapettah, Music Academy, Alwarpet, Adyar Gate, Kotturpuram, Madhya Kailash,
5G	Velachery	Kannagi Nagar S.C.B	Tharamani, Kandanchavadi, Perungudi
6D	Tollgate,	Foreshore Estate	Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Beach Station, Secretariat, Marina Beach, Q.M.C, Santhome
8A	Vallalar Nagar	Tollgate,	Thambu Chetty, Royapuram, Kalmandapam, Kasimedu
13	Thiyagaraya Nagar	Triplicane	Vani Mahal, Thousand Lights, Gopalapuram, Royapettah, Pycroft Road
18A	Guindy I.E	Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T)	Alandur Metro, Airport, Pallavaram, Chromepet, Tambaram, Perungalathur, Vandaloor Zoo
18K	M.G.R Central	West Saidapet	P.OR.R Sons, L.I.C, D.M.S, Teynampet, Nandanam, Mettupalayam
21E	Broadway	Nandambakkam	Secretariat, Marina Beach, Q.M.C, Santhome, Foreshore Estate, Adyar, Madhya Kailash, Anna University, Guindy, Kathipara
21G	Broadway	Tambaram	Secretariat, Marina Beach, Q M.C, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Adyar Gate, Kotturpuram, Anna University, Guindy, Alandur Metro, Airport, Pallavaram, Chromepet
21G	Broadway	Guindy	Secretariat, Marina Beach, Q M.C, Mylapore, Mandaveli, Adyar Gate, Kotturpuram, Anna University
23C	Besant Nagar	Egmore	Adyar, Madhya Kailash, Anna University, Little Mount, Saidapet, Nandanam, Teynampet, D.M.S, L.I.C, Pudupet
23C	Saidapet	Ayanavaram	Nandanam, Teynampet, D.M.S, L.I.C, Pudupet, Egmore, Dasaprakash, Purasaivakkam, Kellys
25	Anna Square	Iyyappanthangal	Marina Beach, Royapettah, Gemini, Palmgrove, Liberty, Vadapalani, Valasaravakkam, Porur
25	Anna Square	Vadapalani	Marina Beach, Royapettah, Gemini, Palmgrove, Liberty
26	Broadway	Vadapalani	M.G.R Central, P.OR.R Sons, L.I.C, Gemini, Palmgrove, Liberty
27B	Anna Square	M.M.D.A Colony	Triplicane, P.OR.R Sons, Chindathiripet, Egmore, Chetpet, Aminjikarai
27D	Villivakkam	Ayanavaram	I.C.F, Noor Hotel
28A	Manali New Town	Vallalar Nagar	Elanthur, Sathangadu, Wimco Nagar, Thiruvottriyur, Theradi, Tollgate, Tondiarpet
29A	Egmore	Perambur	Dasaprakash, Purasaivakkam, Doveton, Otteri, Jamaliya
29C	Sterling Road	Perambur	Chetpet, K.M.C, Purasaivakkam, Otteri, Jamaliya
29E	M.G.R Koyambedu	Perambur	Arumbakkam, Aminjikarai, Kellys, Purasaivakkam, Otteri, Jamaliya
35	Broadway	Ayanavaram	M.G.R Central, Periyamedu, Vepery, Doveton, Otteri
37	Vallalar Nagar	Dasarathapuram	Basin Bridge, Choolai, Purasaivakkam, Dasaprakash, K.M.C, Chetpet, Sterling Road, Valluvar Kottam, Liberty, Vadapalani
37E	M.K.B Nagar	Vadapalani	Sidco, Kannigapuram, Pattalam, Doveton, Vepery, Egmore, D.P.I, Sterling Road, Valluvar Kottam, Liberty
44	Broadway	I.O.C	Beach Station, Thambu Chetty, Vallalar Nagar, Tondiarpet
45A	Vivekananda House	N.G.O Colony	Royapettah, Music Academy, Alwarpet, Adyar Gate, Nandanam, Saidapet, Little Mount, Velachery, Kaiveli
45B	Vivekananda House	Guindy I.E	Q.M.C, Luz, Alwarpet, Teynampet, Nandanam, Saidapet, Little Mount
47D	Thiyagaraya Nagar	Korattur	Valluvar Kottam, Sterling Road, Loyola College, Roundana, Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar West, Padi, Lucas
48	Vallalar Nagar	Ayanavaram	Basin Bridge, Pulianthope, Otteri
54	Broadway	Iyyappanthangal	M.G.R Central, P.OR.R Sons, L.I.C, D.M.S, Teynampet, Nandanam, Saidapet, Little Mount, Guindy, Kathipara, Nandambakkam, Porur
54V	Poonamallee	Veppampattu R.S	Varadharaja Puram, Thirumazhisai, Vellavedu, Nemam, Perumalpattu
57	Vallalar Nagar	Moolakadai	Basin Bridge, Vyasarpadi
57C	Vallalar Nagar	Gnayaru	Basin Bridge, Vyasarpadi, Moolakadai, Madhavaram (M.M.B.T), Puzhal, Kavankarai, Redhills, Kummanur, Budur, Arumandai
62	Avadi	Redhills	Thirumullaivoyal, Raaki Theatre, Pudhur, Kallikupam, Surapet, Puzhal, Kavangarai
65C	Ambathur I.E	Pakkam Village	Ambathur O.T, Raaki Theatre, Thirumullaivoyal, Avadi, Kavarapalayam, Pattabiram, Annaikattuchery, Nemilichery, Thiruninravur, Melappedu
77F	Vathattur	Avadi	Sivanavoyal, Nathambedu, Thiruninravur, Nemilichery, Amudurmedu, Pattabiram, Kavarapalayam
88	Vadapalani	Porur	Virugambakkam, Valasaravakkam
95x	Sholinganallur	Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T)	Medavakkam, Sembakkam, Selaiyur, Tambaram East, Perungalathur, Vandaloor Zoo
101	Thiruvottriyur	M.G.R Koyambedu	Theradi, Tollgate, Kasimedu, Royapuram, Beach Station, Broadway, M.G.R Central, Egmore North, Dasaprakash, K.M.C, Aminjikarai, Arumbakkam
102	Tidel Park	Siruchery I.T Park	Kandanchavadi, Perungudi, Sholinganallur, Chemmenchery, Navalur
104C	Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T)	M.G.R Koyambedu	Vandaloor Zoo, Perungalathur, Porur Toll Plaza, Maduravoyal, Rohini Theatre
114C	M.G.R Koyambedu	Gnayaru	Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar West, Agrakaram, Retteri, Madhavaram (M.M.B.T), Puzhal, Kavankarai, Redhills, Kummanur, Budur, Arumandai
120	Broadway	Ayanavaram	M.G.R Central, Egmore North, Dasaprakash, Purasaivakkam, Kellys
121	M.G.R Koyambedu	Madhavaram (M.M.B.T)	Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar West, Retteri
221	Broadway	Perumbakkam S.C.B	M.G.R Central, P.OR.R Sons, L.I.C, D.M.S, Teynampet, Nandanam, Saidapet, Little Mount, Gandhi Mandapam, Madhya Kailash, Tidel Park, Kandanchavadi, Perungudi, Sholinganallur, Nucleus Company
B19	Sholinganallur	Siruchery I.T Park	Chemmenchery, Navalur
B70	Guindy I.E	Devik Eswari Nagar	Ekkattuthangal, Ashok Pillar, Vadapalani, Arumbakkam Metro, M.G.R Koyambedu (C.M.BT), Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar West, Padi, Lucas, Ambathur I.E, Ambathur O.T
M88	Porur	Kundrathur Murugan Temple	Moulivakkam, Gerungambakkam, Kovur, Kolachery, Kundrathur

EXTN and X Service Bus Routes

The "EXTN" services primarily function as feeder services, providing regular connections to various destinations while incorporating additional stops along the current route. The "X" bus routes operate with a consistent frequency of 25 to 30 minutes, particularly the bus service to Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T), as well as routes 102x and 570x to Thiruporur. These routes are also recognized as infrequent bus services.

Route	From	To	Route Stops
7M	Broadway	Athipet I.C.F Colony	M.G.R Central, Periyamedu, Vepery, Purasaivakkam, Kellys, Chinthamani, Roundana, Thirumangalam, Collector Nagar, Vaavin, Ambathur I.E
9M	A.G.S Colony	Broadway	Guindy, Little Mount, Saidapet, Teynampet, D.M.S, L.I.C, P.ORR Sons, M.G.R Central
11Gx	Iyyappanthangal	Broadway	Porur, Valasaravakkam, Kalaignar Nagar, Nesapakkam, Ashok Pillar, Mambalam, Pondy Bazaar, D.M.S, L.I.C, P.OR.R Sons, M.G.R Central
15B	M.G.R Koyambedu	Odeanmani	Arumbakkam, Aminjikarai, K.M.C, Dasaprakash, Egmore North, M.G.R Central, Broadway, Beach Station, Royapuram, Tondiarpet, Tollgate, Thangal
18Ax	Broadway	Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T)	M.G.R Central, P.OR.R Sons, L.I.C, D.M.S, Teynampet, Nandanam, Saidapet, Little Mount, Guindy, Alandur Metro, Arignar Anna International Airport, Pallavaram, Chromepet, Tambaram, Perungalathur, Vandaloor Zoo
19B	Thiyagaraya Nagar	Thaiyur Koman Nagar	Saidapet, Little Mount, Anna University, Madhya Kailash, Kandanchavadi, Perungudi, Sholinganallur, Chemmanchery, Navalur, Siruchery, Padur, Kelambakkam
23C	Kannagi Nagar	Ayanavaram	Perungudi, S.R.P Tools, Adyar, Madhya Kailash, Anna University, Little Mount, Saidapet, Nandanam, Teynampet, D.M.S, L.I.C, Pudupet, Egmore, Dasaprakash, Purasaivakkam, Kellys
29	Mandaveli	Vinayagapuram	Mylapore, Royapettah, L.I.C, Pudupet, Egmore, Dasaprakash, Purasaivakkam, Doveton, Otteri, Jamaliya, Perambur, Venus, Kolathur, Retteri
29A	Anna Square	Periyar Nagar	Triplicane, Pudupet, Egmore, Dasaprakash, Purasaivakkam, Doveton, Otteri, Jamaliya, Perambur, Venus
29A	Anna Square	Peravallur Kumaran Nagar	Triplicane, Pudupet, Egmore, Dasaprakash, Purasaivakkam, Doveton, Otteri, Jamaliya, Perambur, Venus, Kolathur
29C	Besant Nagar	Periyar Nagar	Adyar, Mandaveli, Mylapore, Stella Mary College, Gemini, Sterling Road, Chetpet, K.M.C, Purasaivakkam, Otteri, Jamaliya, Perambur, Venus
29C	Besant Nagar	Srinivasa Nagar	Adyar, Mandaveli, Mylapore, Stella Mary College, Gemini, Sterling Road, Chetpet, K.M.C, Purasaivakkam, Otteri, Jamaliya, Perambur, Venus, Kolathur
45Bx	Anna Square	Mugalivakkam	Triplicane, Ratna Cafe, Vivekananda House, Q.M.C, Luz, Alwarpet, Teynampet, Nandanam, Saidapet, Little Mount, Guindy, Kathipara, Nandambakkam
46	M.G.R Koyambedu	Periyar Nagar	Arumbakkam, N.S.K Nagar, Roundana, I.C.F, Ayanavaram, Otteri, Jamaliya, Perambur, Venus
51Ax	Thiyagaraya Nagar	Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T)	Saidapet, Little Mount, Guindy Race Course, Velachery, Pallikaranai, Medavakkam, Sembakkam, Selaiyur, Tambaram East, Perungalathur, Vandaloor Zoo
51B	Thiyagaraya Nagar	Ottiyambakkam	Saidapet, Little Mount, Velachery, Pallikaranai, Medavakkam, Chithalapakkam, Arasankazhani
51x	Velachery	Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T)	Pallikaranai, Medavakkam, Sembakkam, Selaiyur, Tambaram East, Perungalathur, Vandaloor Zoo
55	Tambaram West	Mannivakkam Kulam	Tambaram Town Limit, Amudham Nagar, Old Perungalathur, Mudichur, Mannivakkam
55A	Pallavaram	Poonthandalam	Lakshmipuram, Thiruneermalai, Thirumudivakkam, Pazhanthandalam, Vivekananda Nagar, Indira Nagar
56D	Mathur M.M.D.A	Broadway	Manali, Avurikollaimedu, K.G.L, Tollgate, Kasimedu, Royapuram, Beach Station
64K	Broadway	Kodungaiyur Parvathi Nagar	M.G.R Central, Periyamedu, Vepery, Doveton, Pattalam, Kannigapuram, Perambur Market, Moolakadai, Erukkancherry, Sidco, Karikadai
70Cx	Kalaignar Nagar	Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T)	Ashok Pillar, Ekkattuthangal, Alandur Metro, Arignar Anna International Airport, Pallavaram, Chromepet, Tambaram, Perungalathur, Vandaloor Zoo
71Ex	Broadway	Thiruninravur	M.G.R Central, Egmore North, Dasaprakash, K.M.C, Kilpauk Garden, V.O.C. Nagar, Sidco Nagar, Lucas, Ambathur, Thirumullaivoyal, Avadi, Kavarapalayam, Pattabiram, Annaikattuchery, Nemilichery
77V	Koyambakkam	M.G.R Koyambedu	Veppampattu, Thiruninravur, Nemilichery, Amudurmedu, Pattabiram, Kavarapalayam, Avadi, Thirumullaivoyal, Ambathur O.T, Ambathur I.E, Vaavin, Collector Nagar, Thirumangalam
88C	Thiyagaraya Nagar	Nandambakkam Village	Saidapet, Little Mount, Guindy, Kathipara, Ramapuram, Porur, Moulivakkam, Gerugambakkam, Kovur, Kolachery, Kundrathur, Nandambakkam
88K	Broadway	Nallur	M.G.R Central, P.OR.R Sons, L.I.C, D.M.S, Teynampet, Nandanam, Saidapet, Little Mount, Guindy, Kathipara, Ramapuram, Porur, Moulivakkam, Gerugambakkam, Kovur, Kolachery, Kundrathur
91	Guduvanchery	Okkiyam Thoraipakkam Sec. Colony	Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T), Vandaloor Zoo, Perungalathur, Tambaram, Chromepet, Vels University, Eachangadu, Kamatchi Hospital
95x	Thiruvanmiyur	Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T)	Kandanchavadi, Perungudi, Okkiyampet, Sholinganallur, Medavakkam, Sembakkam, Selaiyur, Tambaram East, Perungalathur, Vandaloor Zoo
99x	Adyar	Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T)	Thiruvanmiyur, Palavakkam, Neelankarai, Injambakkam, Akkarai, Sholinganallur, Medavakkam, Sembakkam, Selaiyur, Tambaram East, Perungalathur, Vandaloor Zoo
101x	Broadway	Thirumazhisai	M.G.R Central, Egmore North, Dasaprakash, K.M.C, Aminjikarai, Arumbakkam, Rohini Theatre, Maduravoyal, Velappanchavadi, Kumanan Chavadi, Poonamallee, Nazarathpet
102x	Broadway	Thiruporur	Secretariat, Marina Beach, Q.M.C, Santhome, Foreshore Estate, Adyar, Kandanchavadi, Perungudi, Sholinganallur, Chemmenchery, Navalur, Siruchery, Padur, Kelambakkam
109	Broadway	Thiruvidanthai	Secretariat, Marina Beach, Q.M.C, Santhome, Foreshore Estate, Adyar, Thiruvanmiyur, Palavakkam, Neelankarai, Injambakkam, Kanathur, Muttukadu, Kovalam
109x	Broadway	Thiruporur	Secretariat, Marina Beach, Q.M.C, Santhome, Foreshore Estate, Adyar, Thiruvanmiyur, Palavakkam, Neelankarai, Injambakkam, Kanathur, Muttukadu, Kovalam, Kovalam- Kelambakkam Road, Kelambakkam
111x	Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T)	Thiruverkadu	Vandaloor Zoo, Perungalathur, Tambaram, Chromepet, Pallavaram, Arignar Anna International Airport, Alandur Metro, Ekkattuthangal, Ashok Pillar, Vadapalani, Arumbakkam Metro, M.G.R Koyambedu, Maduravoyal, Velappanchavadi, Perumal Nagar Junction, Gurumedai
114	M.G.R Koyambedu	Mahindra Ind Park	Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar West, Agrakaram, Retteri, Madhavaram (M.M.B.T), Puzhal, Kavankarai, Redhills, Padiayanallur, Sholavaram, Karanodai, Janapanchatram, Peruvallur, Puduvayal
120K	Broadway	Kilkondaiyur	M.G.R Central, Egmore North, Dasaprakash, Purasaivakkam, Kellys, Ayanavaram, I.C.F, Lucas, Ambathur, Thirumullaivoyal, Avadi, Kovilpathagai, Kannadapalayam, Veerapuram, Arakkambakkam, Kadhavoor
121Hx	Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T)	Kaviarasu Kannadasan Nagar	Vandaloor Zoo, Perungalathur, Tambaram, Chromepet, Pallavaram, Arignar Anna International Airport, Alandur Metro, Ekkattuthangal, Ashok Pillar, Vadapalani, Arumbakkam Metro, M.G.R Koyambedu, Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar West, Retteri, Madhavaram (M.M.B.T), Moolakadai, Erukkanchery
121M	M.G.R Koyambedu	Manali	Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar West, Retteri, Madhavaram (M.M.B.T), Moolakadai, Madhavaram, Manjampakkam, Mathur
166x	Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T)	Iyyappanthangal	Vandaloor Zoo, Perungalathur, Tambaram, Chromepet, Pallavaram, Pammal, Anakaputhur, Manacherry, Kundrathur, Kolachery, Kovur, Gerugambakkam, Moulivakkam, Porur
170C	Manali	Guindy I.E	Mathur, Madhavaram Milk Colony, Moolakadai, Thiru. Vi. Ka Nagar, Kolathur, Retteri, Anna Nagar West, Thirumangalam, M.G.R Koyambedu, Arumbakkam Metro, Vadapalani, Ashok Pillar, Ekkattuthangal
202x	Avadi	Kilambakkam (K.C.B.T)	Kavarapalayam, Sekkadu, Pattabiram, Thandurai, Sitharkadu Bypass, Chikkarayapuram, Pazhanthandalam, Erumaiyur, Old Perungalathur, Perungalathur, Vandaloor Zoo
514	M.G.R Koyambedu	Enambakkam	Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar West, Lucas, Retteri, Madhavaram (M.M.B.T), Puzhal, Kavangarai, Redhills, Padiayanallur, Sholavaram, Karanodai, Janapanchatram, Thanakulam, Panapakkam, Periyapalayam
557A	Broadway	Annamalaichery	Beach Station, Vallalar Nagar, Basin Bridge, Vyasarpadi, Moolakadai, Madhavaram (M.M.B.T), Puzhal, Kavankarai, Redhills, Padianallur, Sholavaram, Karanodai, Janapanchatram, Peravallur, Puduvayal, Kavarapet, Verkadu, Gummidipoondi, Rettembedu, Kurivigaram Junction, Pananjalai, Agaram, Vepathur
570x	M.G.R Koyambedu	Thiruporur	Arumbakkam Metro, Vadapalani, Ashok Pillar, Ekkatuthangal, Guindy, Checkpost, Velachery, Tharamani, S.R.P Tools, Kandanchavadi, Perungudi, Sholinganallur, Chemmanchery, Navalur, Siruchery, Padur, Kelambakkam
578	Poonamallee	Kunnam	Nazarathpet, Thirumazhisai, Chembarambakkam, Irungattukottai, Sriperumbudur

S-Prefixed Bus Routes

These Routes are operated by small buses which mainly acts as feeder services for metro stations, railway stations or for interior local neighborhood routes

Route	Origin	Destination	Via
S1	Pallavaram R.S	Thirusulam Sakthi Nagar	Dharga, Sara Nagar
S2	Medavakkam	Chromepet	Sembakkam, Thirumalai Nagar, Hastinapuram, Kumaran Kundram
S3X	Chromepet E.S.I	Noothanchery	Chromepet, Tambaram Sanatorium R.S, Bampan Salai, Mahalakshmi Nagar, Madambakkam
S4	Medavakkam	Chromepet	Medavakkam Koot Road, Vellaikal, Kovilambakkam, Vijayalakshmi, Pattavedaman Temple, Kumaran Kundram
S5	Fort R.S	Secretariat	War Memorial
S6	Tambaram West	Vengambakkam	Tambaram East, Selaiyur, Balaji Nagar, Meppadu
S12	Velachery M.R.T.S	Guindy Race Course	Velachery Vijayanagar, Velachery Erikarai, Maduvinkarai
S13	Velachery	Guindy Race Course	Velachery M.R.T.S, A.G.S Colony, Brindavan Nagar, N.G.O Colony, Maduvinkarai
S15	Thiruvanmiyur M.R.T.S	Madhya Kailash	Tidel Park, Ascendas I.T Park, Kanagam, I.I.T Madras
S17	Adyar	Mandaveli	Gandhi Nagar, Kotturpuram M.R.T.S, Kotturpuram, Adyar Gate, Greenways Road M.R.T.S, Kamaraj Salai, Thiruvengadam
S18CT	Kilmbakkam (K.C.B.T)	Tambaram West
S18D	Saidapet	Kilkattalai	Little Mount, Guindy, N.G.O Colony, St. Thomas Mount, Vanuvampet
S18K	M.G.R Central	Saidapet West Parsan Nagar	P.OR.R Sons, L.I.C, D.M.S, Teynampet, Nandanam, Mettupalayam
S19	Chromepet	Kilkattalai	Kumaran Kundram, Hastinapuram, Arunodayam Nagar, Pillayar Koil, Kovilambakkam, Echangadu
S20	Ashok Nagar Metro	D.L.F	Kalaignar Nagar, Nesapakkam, Ramapuram Koil
S21C	Mylapore	M.G.R Central	Royapettah, L.I.C, Dams Road, Guruvappa Street, Chintadripet, P.OR.R Sons
S22	Porur	Mangadu	Iyyappanthangal, Alamaram, Pattur
S24	Iyyappanthangal	Thiruverkadu	T.R Studio, Velappanchavadi, Perumal Nagar, Gurimedai
S24A	Kambar Colony	T.V.K.Nagar	T.R Studio, Velappanchavadi, Perumal Nagar, Gurimedai
S25	Valsaravakkam	Maduravoyal	Alapakkam, Meenakshi Dental
S25A	Iyyappanthanagl	Maduravoyal Erikari
S26	Ashok Nagar Metro	Valsaravakkam	Indira Colony, Nesapakkam, Ramapuram, Venkateswar Nagar
S28	M.G.R Koyambedu (C.M.B.T)	Iyyappanthangal	Rohini Theatre, Maduravoyal, Porur Gardens, Porur
S30	Ashok Nagar Metro	Saidapet	Ragava Nagar, Mettuplayam Market, Saidapet Market
S30CT	Guindy G.H	K.K.Nagar
S31	M.G.R Koyambedu (C.M.B.T)	Vadapalani	Koyambedu Market, Chinmaya Nagar, Amuthan Stores, Virugambakkam
S35	Ashok Nagar Metro	Defence Colony	Saidapet West, Adduthotti Bridge, Guindy I.E, Military Hospital
S36	D.M.S Metro	Nungambakkam R.S	Gemini, Sterling Road, Loyola College
S40	Pallavaram	Indira Nagar	Pallavaram Cantonment, Moovar Nagar, Cowl Bazaar
S41	Avadi	Ambedkar Statue	Kannigapuram, Ayapakkam, Ayanambakkam Church
S42	Korattur	Maduravoyal	Church Stop, Yadhava Street, Padi Sivan Koil, T S Krishna Nagar, Mookambigai Dental College, Vengaya Mandi
S43	Villivakkam	Pudur	Srinivasa Nagar, Teachers Colony, Madanankuppam, Kallikuppam
S44	Villivakkam	Perambur	Srinivasa Nagar, Poompuhar Nagar, Kolathur, Periyar Nagar, Venus
S45	Poonamallee	Avadi	Parivakkam, Mettuppalaiyam, Ayalchery, Annaikattuchery, Pattabiram, Kavarapalayam
S47	Mittanamalli G.H.S.S	Avadi	Mittanamalli, Karimedu, Kakkanji Nagar, Kavrapalayam
S47M	C.R.P.F	Avadi	Mittanamalli, Karimedu, Kakkanji Nagar, Kavrapalayam
S48	Siranjeevi	Avadi	Perumal Kovil, Kavarapalayam
S50	Poonamallee	Avadi	Parivakkam, Mettuppalaiyam, Ayalchery, V.G.V Nagar, Kamraj Nagar
S51	M.G.R Koyambedu (C.M.B.T)	Nolambur Shakthi Nagar	Rohini Theatre, Rohini Theatre, Nerkundram, Moggappair, J.J Nagar West
S52	Avadi	Thiruverkadu	Iyankulam, Paruthipattu, Ayyappan Madam
S53	Ambathur I.E	Maduravoyal	J.J Nagar West, Nolambur, Ayanambakkam, Vanagaram
S54TCT	Porur	Chembarambakkam	Iyyappanthangal, Kumanan Chavadi, Poonamallee, Nazarathpet
S54V (CT)	Poonamallee	Veppampattu	Nazarathpet, Thirumazhisai, Vellavedu, Puduchatram, Perumalpattu
S55	Ambathur R.S	Thirumullaivoyal Sidco	Ambathur O.T, Thirumullaivoyal, Thirumullaivoyal Venkatachalam Nagar, Arrikambedu, Kattur
S56	Thiruvottriyur	Manali	Wimco Nagar, Mullai Nagar, M.F.L, Manali Market
S58	Ambathur I.E	Thirumullaivoyal Colony	Ambathur Dairy, Pattaravakkam R.S, Ambathur R.S, Ambathur O.T, Saraswathi Nagar, Devi Eswari Nagar
S59	Mangadu	Thiruverkadu	Amman Nagar, Kattupakkam, Madhiravedu, Perumal Koil
S60	M.G.R Koyambedu (C.M.B.T)	Maduravoyal Erikari	Rohini Theatre, Rohini Theatre, Nerkundram, Sakthi Nagar, Nesamal Nagar, Mettukuppam
S62	Perambur	Manali	Perambur Market, Moolakadai, Kodungaiyur, Parvathi Nagar, Sekadu, Manali Market
S63	Moolakadai	Manali	Erukanchery, Sidco, Selaivayal, Balaji Palayam, Manali Market
S64	Perambur	Assisi Nagar	Perambur Market, Moolakadai, Madhavaram, Agarsen College
S66	Kundrathur	Pallavaram	Manikam Nagar, Metro Grand City, Andakuppam, Anakaputhur, Pammal
S68	Villivakkam	Madhavaram (M.M.B.T)	Srinivasa Nagar, Kolathur, Poompuhar Nagar, Peruvallur Kumaran Nagar, Kangachathiram
S69	Airport Metro	Kundrathur	Pallavaram, Pammal, Anakaputhur
S70K	Thirumangalam Metro	Korattur Water Canal	Thirumangalam, Anna Nagar West, Lucas, Korattur, Palla Street
S73	Ambathur I.E	Thiruverkadu	J.J Nagar West, Nolambur, Vanagram Salai, Manthopu, Koladi, Devi Nagar
S74	Pallavaram R.S	Kilkattalai	Alamaram, Dhargas
S75	Ambathur O.T	Lucas-TVS	Ambathur R.S, Alamaram, Menambedu, Ambathur Dairy, Korattur
S76	Thiyagaraya Nagar	St Thomas Mount M.R.T.S	Saidapet, Little Mount, Guindy, Alandur Metro
S80	Tambaram Sanatorium MEPZ	Thendral Nagar
S81	Chromepet	Pozhichallur	Pallavaram, Pallavaram Cantonment, Pammal Iyyapan Nagar
S82	Alandur Metro	Madipakkam	Alandur Court, Nanganallur, Moovarsampet, Balaji Nagar, Puzhuthivakkam, Ponniamman Kovil
S83	Alandur Metro	Guru Nanak College	St Thomas Mount, Adambakkam, Puzhuthivakkam M.R.T.S, Velachery M.R.T.S, Velachery Vijayanagar
S84	Alandur Metro	Porur	Kathipara, Nandambakkam, Mugalivakkam
S86	Thiyagaraya Nagar	Ramapuram	Mettupalayam, Ashok Nagar, Nesapakkam
S87	M.G.R Koyambedu (C.M.B.T)	K.K.Nagar	Koyambedu Market, Chinmaya Nagar, Virugambakkam, Nesappakkam
S88A	Porur	Nandambakkam Village	Moulivakkam, Gerugambakkam, Kovur, Thandalam, Kolachery, Kundrathur, Sirukalathur
S93	Velachery	Pallikaranai	Kaiveli, Kamatchi Hospital, Kamakoti Nagar, Labour Colony
S94	Durga Nagar	Thirumudivakkam Sidco	Chromepet, Lakshmipuram, Thiruneermalai, Thirumudivakkam
S95	Velachery	Perungudi	Tharamani M.R.T.S, Kandachavadi
S96	Government Estate Metro	Secretariat	Triplicane, Anna Square
S97	Guindy Metro	Velachery Vijaya Nagar	Guindy I.E, Guindy Race Course, Checkpost
S98	Little Mount Metro	Tharamani	Gandhi Mandapam, Madhya Kailash, Tidel Park
S99	Shenoy Nagar Metro	Thiyagaraya Nagar	Arun Hotel, Nungambakkam R.S, Loyola College, Mahalingapuram
S100	Airport Metro	Tambaram East	Pallavaram, Chromepet, Puliyamaram, Tambaram Sanatorium R.S
S145	Ayanavaram	M.G.R Koyambedu (C.M.B.T)	Sayani, Ayanavaram Maternity Hospital, Veerasamy Main Road, V.O.C Nagar, Anna Nagar East Metro, Santhi Colony, Naduvankarai Bridge
S165	Pallavaram	Kovur	Pammal, Anakaputhur, Tarapakkam, Thandalam
S166	Porur	Manimedu	Moulivakkam, Gerugambakkam
S167	Pallavaram	Pattur	Pammal, Pozhichallur, Indira Nagar, Kolapakkam, Moulivakkam
S169	Moolakadai	Tollgate	M.K.B Nagar, Sidco, Kaviarasu Kannadasan Nagar, Korukkupet, V.O.C Nagar Junction, Tondiarpet
SC1	I.O.C	Tondiarpet

Secretariat and Rajaji Bhavan Routes

These make single trips each in the Morning and Evening serving passengers for Secretariat (located at Fort St. George) or Rajaji Bhavan (located in Besant Nagar) and Rest of regular routes

Revenue

As of 2012, MTC's advertisement revenue per month is ₹ 86 lakhs. About 2,000 of the MTC's 3,400 buses have been maintained by companies that advertise on the buses since December 2011, but the advertisement space was open for all to bid. In 2012, MTC decided to allow only those companies that take up the cleaning assignment. Still they will have to pay the market rate for the space, while they will get paid for the cleaning. As of 2012, the corporation pays ₹ 18 per bus per cleaner every day.

As of 17 Apr 2013 The total revenue per day of all the buses is 2.75 cr

Occupancy

The MTC buses have an occupancy ratio (average number of passengers to total seating capacity in a bus) of 84.35%. Each MTC bus can carry 72 people, including 24 standing passengers. The occupancy ratio in Chennai is amongst the highest for the 38 transport corporations in the country.

Connectivity with MRTS and airport

The MTC services are not integrated with the Mass Rapid Transit System. Some of the MRTS stations are located away from bus stops which makes transfers difficult. Recently mini-buses have started to ply as a feeder to plug the gaps in connectivity. There are buses to various parts of the city from the airport and some air passengers and many airport employees, use the service. The bus stop is close to the international terminal.

Accidents

The accident rate of MTC is high compared to similar metropolitan transport corporations in the country. In Chennai, 104 people died in 2012 in accidents involving MTC buses. The driver unions are blamed for violations going unpunished and continuing unabated.

People killed in accidents involving MTC buses

Year	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2016	2017	2018	2019
Fatal	142	145	138	132	112	104	98	94	35	24	120

Accidents over the years

Year	Fatal	Non-fatal
2009	109	384
2010	106	351
2011	112	436
2012	103	351
2013	62	215
2016	61	214
2017	35	516
2018	24	401
2019	120	432

To mitigate the no. of accidents, officials of the corporation and the traffic police conduct refresher courses and yoga classes for MTC drivers.

Complaints and Issues Faced

Overcrowding and infrequency

MTC buses can be very overcrowded with footboard traveling being a common occurrence in the ordinary buses with no doors, which has led to numerous accidents. The main reason for this overcrowding being the fact number of buses operated by the MTC is not enough to meet the requirement of such a large city, with the city needing a fleet of 5,160 buses just to meet the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs benchmark of 60 buses per 100,000 people, which in 2022 would require 1,706 additional buses. In addition a 2016 report by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways found 72.1% of the buses to be overage.

MTC buses are also notorious for bus bunching (i.e. two or more buses of the same route arriving together) with commuters frequently complaining about not being able to get a bus for another 30 minutes afterwards. Many routes also suffer from a low frequency of buses.

Finances

MTC has been a loss making company for a long time which has hampered its ability to improve services or add new buses, however its previous attempt to increase fares in 2018 ended up causing a steep decline in daily passengers resulting in an even greater loss of ₹730.45 crore in financial year 2017-18 as against ₹519.48 crore in the previous financial year of 2016–17. MTC finances are also strained by the constant hikes in fuel prices. This weak financial position has led to it cutting back on some services.

Due to its weak financial position, MTC along with other STCs have found it difficult to pay their employees retirement benefits, dearness allowance, pensions, etc., with many social security measures remaining only on paper. The amount deducted from the employees' wages for welfare measures (such as health insurance) and retirement benefits is used up to finance day-to-day operation, resulting in the organisation being reliant on the state government to release funds for retirement benefits. Many retired employees have to wait for months to receive their pension, and dearness allowance arrears have been pending for years.

Other issues

There have complaints about operator behavior on MTC buses and these have been effectively addressed by the administration by having special counseling and yoga sessions for the workers. The entrances to most buses have at least two steps. This poses difficulty for some passengers to alight or board the buses. Some of the bus stations are poorly maintained.

MTC officials are under pressure from councilors and MLAs to introduce new bus routes to or through their constituency even though such a move may not be the most profitable of options. "While this is not always bad as certain routes need to be run even if they are not profitable, MTC as an operator should cover its basics first and meet the demands along high-capacity routes," said an expert in the field of public transport.

See also

• State Express Transport Corporation
• Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation
• Transport in Chennai

External links

• MTCBus.org - official website
• Operation details under RTI
• BusRoutes.In - Chennai bus and train route maps
• MTC Volvo AC Bus Timings