Latest news with #MetropolitanTransportCorporation
The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
MTC to soon launch upgraded version of Chennai Bus app
The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) will be launching a new and upgraded version of the Chennai Bus app in one month, and final testing work for this, is under progress. The Chennai Bus app was launched to help bus commuters get real time data of the arrival and departure of the buses in the hundreds of routes being operated in the city. A senior official of the MTC said the present Chennai Bus app would be replaced with an advanced 2.0 version making it even more efficient and convenient for commuters to identify their designated buses in real time via mobile phones. The upgraded version would be available on both the Android and iOS platforms. At present a number of commuters have been complaining about the schedule going awry with some of the buses, despite being installed with GPS, but not reflecting in either the route or the bus movement on the app. To overcome this issue the MTC which had launched the bus application earlier in the Chalo Bus app before migrating to the Chennai bus app in 2022 on the Android platform which was finally released in the iOS platform in 2024. As part of the modernisation effort the MTC has computerised the scheduling of buses in depots, relaying of bus data in the app in real time and was creating infrastructure facilities by installing digital display boards in important bus stops for commuters to know the arrivals and departures of the buses. S. Rajasekar, a social activist from Ambattur, complained that some buses in every fleet of MTC were not trackable on Chalo or the Chennai Bus app even though all buses have GPS trackers installed. Also some of the small buses, which were launched recently, are not showing in the app, he added. To overcome this particular issue the MTC is going for installing new high quality GPS machines in the entire fleet of 3,400 buses by replacing the old GPS machines, which have accuracy issues, causing the buses to not shown in the app in real time. The GPS machines were installed by the company involved in creating the Chalo bus app. T. Murugan, who uses the Chennai bus app, also urges the MTC to allow purchasing of tickets through the app similar to the UTS app of southern Railway through QR code system. To help commuters waiting at the bus stands by providing details of buses arriving and departing, the MTC has started installing light emitting diode (LED) boards at the bus stands. The LED boards which will be linked to the online server of the bus app will be providing real time data for the commuters not having the app. The senior MTC official said the LED boards would display information such as the estimated time of arrival, estimated time of departure, bus route number, destinations, speed and also alert any accidents. At present the MTC has installed in more than 18 places of important bus stops including Chintadripet, Broadway, Central and Nungambakkam. The MTC has plans to install LED boards in a total of 616 locations comprising 500 bus stops and in 71 main terminals.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- The Hindu
Upgraded version 2.0 Chennai bus app to be launched by MTC soon
The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) will be launching a new and upgraded version of the Chennai Bus app in one month, and final testing work for this, is under progress. The Chennai Bus app was launched to help bus commuters get real time data of the arrival and departure of the buses in the hundreds of routes being operated in the city. A senior official of the MTC said the present Chennai Bus app would be replaced with an advanced 2.0 version making it even more efficient and convenient for commuters to identify their designated buses in real time via mobile phones. The upgraded version would be available on both the Android and iOS platforms. At present a number of commuters have been complaining about the schedule going awry with some of the buses, despite being installed with GPS, but not reflecting in either the route or the bus movement on the app. To overcome this issue the MTC which had launched the bus application earlier in the Chalo Bus app before migrating to the Chennai bus app in 2022 on the Android platform which was finally released in the iOS platform in 2024. As part of the modernisation effort the MTC has computerised the scheduling of buses in depots, relaying of bus data in the app in real time and was creating infrastructure facilities by installing digital display boards in important bus stops for commuters to know the arrivals and departures of the buses. S. Rajasekar, a social activist from Ambattur, complained that some buses in every fleet of MTC were not trackable on Chalo or the Chennai Bus app even though all buses have GPS trackers installed. Also some of the small buses, which were launched recently, are not showing in the app, he added. To overcome this particular issue the MTC is going for installing new high quality GPS machines in the entire fleet of 3,400 buses by replacing the old GPS machines, which have accuracy issues, causing the buses to not shown in the app in real time. The GPS machines were installed by the company involved in creating the Chalo bus app. T. Murugan, who uses the Chennai bus app, also urges the MTC to allow purchasing of tickets through the app similar to the UTS app of southern Railway through QR code system. To help commuters waiting at the bus stands by providing details of buses arriving and departing, the MTC has started installing light emitting diode (LED) boards at the bus stands. The LED boards which will be linked to the online server of the bus app will be providing real time data for the commuters not having the app. The senior MTC official said the LED boards would display information such as the estimated time of arrival, estimated time of departure, bus route number, destinations, speed and also alert any accidents. At present the MTC has installed in more than 18 places of important bus stops including Chintadripet, Broadway, Central and Nungambakkam. The MTC has plans to install LED boards in a total of 616 locations comprising 500 bus stops and in 71 main terminals.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bus app misfires as GPS faults derail live tracking
Chennai: Commuters relying on the govt's Chennai Bus app to track Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses may want to think twice—the app is currently running on a mix of faulty data, and incompatible GPS kits. Some of the newest additions—blue-coloured low-floor buses—have defective GPS kits. The issue came to light when Srikanth, a software engineer, reverse-engineered the app and posted his findings on X. He claimed that at least 15 new low-floor buses were sitting idle at depots for extended periods, raising questions about operational inefficiency. Resident-activist D Ramakrishnan from Adambakkam added, "We understand old buses being out for repairs. But why are brand new buses, less than a year old, out of service for months?" MTC rejected this and said that none of the buses were grounded and that periodic maintenance might cause temporary inactivity. It also acknowledged a transition to a new technology partner and promised that live tracking would resume shortly. Meanwhile, flawed GPS data not only misled passengers but unfairly blamed staff. Drivers are questioned for delays even when on time or stuck in traffic because the app shows wrong timings. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Que tipo de dedos você tem? É isso que diz sobre a sua personalidade! Conselhos E Truques Undo T Prabhushankar, Managing Director of MTC, said the earlier contract with Chalo—the private firm handling GPS tracking for MTC buses—had ended, and was temporarily extended until a new concessionaire takes over under the government's Smart City initiative. He admitted that around 10% of the new buses, though equipped with in-built GPS devices, were either incompatible with the current system or rendered ineffective due to server update issues. "This will be addressed under the new project as part of the Chennai Intelligent Transport System (CITS). We are in a transition phase and expect to resolve these issues within a month," he said. The CITS project will also introduce Passenger Information Systems (PIS) to display real-time bus data, including expected arrival times, at terminals, bus stops, and transit hubs. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
100 new small buses to restore first and last-mile links
Chennai: To revive its long-neglected small bus network, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) floated a fresh tender to procure 100 fully built BS-VI diesel small buses for the in 2013 to provide critical first and last-mile connectivity in areas with narrow roads, the small bus scheme has been operating at less than half its capacity in recent years. Most of the surviving fleet was relegated to function as Metrorail feeder services, leaving vast areas tender, issued by the Institute of Road Transport, carries an estimated value of 34 crore and invites manufacturers to supply compact, 7m-long buses with a seating capacity of 24 to 28 passengers. The purchase is expected to significantly improve access to MTC services in interior localities where larger buses cannot ply due to road width revival comes amid strong resistance from MTC to private minibus operations in recently added city areas such as Sholinganallur, Madhavaram, and Alandur, where demand for local connectivity is surging. MTC said that allowing private players could cut into its already thin small bus revenue, despite pressure from residents and local officials pushing for competitive options in areas currently underserved by state daily commuters, especially those in peripheral zones, the move could be a relief. "We end up paying 20–30 for a short ride in share autos or haggle with auto drivers just to reach the main road," said Sridevi, a domestic worker from Pallikaranai. "A regular small bus will save us money and time." Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Time of India
False charge: Chennai bus conductor wins 5-year-long legal battle
CHENNAI: A bus passenger's mistaken act of picking up a soiled ticket from the floor spiralled into a false misconduct charge , illegal salary recovery, and a five-year legal battle for a Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) conductor. After years of struggle, Madras high court (HC) ordered a refund of the recovered amount and settlement of his terminal benefits. The incident dates back to 2019, when a woman passenger at Chennai Central produced two tickets during a routine inspection - one valid and another soiled one she accidentally picked up from the bus floor. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Did Pak shoot down Indian jets? What MEA said India foils Pakistan's attack on Jammu airport: What we know so far Mistaking it for ticket resale, the MTC's checking squad booked conductor K Radhakrishnan for misconduct. He alleged that fabricated documents were created to support the charge, leading to a memo against him. After an internal inquiry, MTC reduced Radhakrishnan's basic pay by three stages with cumulative effect in Sept 2019. His appeal led to a modification - stoppage of increment for six months with cumulative effect. As he retired on Jan 31, 2020, the punishment could not be implemented. Instead, MTC recovered Rs 25,200 from his retirement benefits, claiming it was the monetary value of the unimplemented penalty. With no response from MTC to his refund request, Radhakrishnan moved Madras HC in Sept 2020. During the trial, his counsel argued that the recovery had no legal backing under Certified Standing Orders applicable to MTC staff. The court agreed, citing division bench rulings that held such post-retirement recoveries as illegal and beyond jurisdiction. Justice J Sathya Narayana Prasad directed MTC to refund Rs 25,200 and clear all pending retirement dues with 6% annual interest. Welcoming the verdict, Radhakrishnan said, "Officials who impose unlawful punishments and fabricate documents should face disciplinary action, as such practices tarnish the institution and cause personal suffering to workers." The amount was credited to his bank acco-unt last week.
