Chennai's Temporary Bus Terminals Plunge Commuters into Chaos
A week after the inauguration of temporary bus terminals at Royapuram and Island Grounds, Chennai's daily commuters continue to face significant hardships. The shift, necessitated by redevelopment work at the Broadway bus terminus, has resulted in widespread confusion, inadequate infrastructure, and operational inefficiencies that are disrupting public transport across the city.
Operational Breakdown and Passenger Distress
Of the 841 buses that previously operated from the Broadway terminus, 526 have been relocated to Island Grounds and 355 to Royapuram. However, the transition has been far from smooth. Unclear route information and insufficient signage have left passengers bewildered, struggling to navigate the revised schedules. Many commuters report arriving at terminals only to find no updated display boards or reliable information about bus destinations.
A Sadasivam, a senior citizen from Ayanavaram, shared his frustration: "I used to change buses at Broadway to reach Guindy, but now I'm completely unsure which bus to board. There are no schedules or proper displays at the terminus, and even fellow passengers are confused because the destination boards haven't been updated to reflect the new terminals instead of Broadway."
Route Confusion and Reduced Frequency
Despite MTC's announcement that north Chennai-bound buses would operate from Royapuram and services to central and south Chennai would ply from Island Grounds, several north Chennai routes are still operating from Island Grounds. This inconsistency has compounded the confusion among daily travelers.
Commuters have also reported a noticeable reduction in bus frequency on key routes. M Janaki, an office-goer at Park Town bus stop, explained: "Previously, buses were available at least every five minutes. Since the shift, we've been waiting 20-30 minutes for buses to arrive. The delays have led to overcrowded stops, forcing many of us to take autos instead."
Lack of Connectivity Between Terminals
Another critical issue highlighted by passengers is the absence of shuttle services between the Royapuram and Island Grounds terminals. This gap in connectivity has forced commuters to rely on autos, which are charging higher fares due to increased demand. Many have urged MTC to implement regular shuttle services to bridge this transportation gap.
Operational Challenges for MTC Staff
The confusion isn't limited to passengers alone. MTC drivers and conductors are also facing difficulties in maintaining schedules. An MTC driver at Royapuram commented: "With the changed routes and ongoing metro work causing traffic congestion, buses are getting delayed consistently. It will take several more days for both staff and passengers to fully adapt to these new routes and terminals."
Official Response and Future Outlook
MTC joint MD R Sundarapandian addressed the concerns, stating: "All buses from Broadway are being operated from the two temporary terminals without any reduction in frequency or services. We have appointed duty inspectors to assist passengers in boarding buses. Additionally, some buses from north Chennai are being routed to Island Grounds to ensure better connectivity across the city."
As Chennai continues to grapple with these transportation challenges, commuters remain hopeful that MTC will swiftly address the signage issues, improve frequency, and enhance connectivity between terminals to restore normalcy to the city's public transport system.
