Chennai, June 25 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is set to flag off 300 newly procured diesel and CNG buses for the state’s transport corporations at a ceremony to be held at the Secretariat in Chennai on Thursday, marking a major addition to the public transport fleet.  Tamil Nadu operates eight state-owned transport corporations, comprising the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), Chennai; Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) divisions at Villupuram, Kumbakonam, Salem, Coimbatore, Madurai and Tirunelveli; and the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC), which operates long-distance intercity services. The newly inducted fleet has been procured for seven of these transport corporations, excluding the State Express Transport Corporation. The buses will be deployed to strengthen public transport services across different regions of the state and improve connectivity for daily commuters. 

The fleet consists of both diesel and CNG-powered buses, reflecting the government’s efforts to modernise public transportation while expanding services in urban and rural areas. The induction is expected to replace ageing vehicles and enhance the reliability, safety and comfort of passenger services operated by the state transport undertakings. The launch of the buses was initially expected to take place on June 22, coinciding with Chief Minister Vijay’s birthday. In preparation for the event, the new buses had already been transported from various parts of Tamil Nadu to Chennai and parked at key locations, including the Koyambedu and Kilambakkam bus terminals. However, the inauguration was subsequently rescheduled, and the Chief Minister will now formally commission the fleet at Thursday’s event. Transport department officials said the buses would be distributed among the seven transport corporations based on operational requirements and passenger demand. 

Once flagged off, the vehicles are expected to be deployed in a phased manner across different districts to augment existing services and improve fleet availability. The induction of the new buses forms part of the Tamil Nadu government’s ongoing efforts to upgrade the state’s public transport network, improve commuter experience and ensure better accessibility through an expanded and modernised fleet. The addition is also expected to help transport corporations meet increasing passenger demand while improving the efficiency of bus operations across the state. 

/IANS