After successfully rolling out 120 electric buses from the Vyasarpadi depot, Chennai is now gearing up to launch 135 more e-buses starting 11 August.
This includes 55 air-conditioned buses – a first for
the city – bringing a fresh breath of air to daily travel.
These buses will operate from the newly upgraded Perumbakkam depot, covering 13 routes, especially along the busy OMR IT corridor, which had been left out in the previous rollout
, as per TOI.Which Routes Will Be Covered?
Some of the key new routes include:
- Siruseri to Airport (MAA 2)
- Broadway to Kelambakkam (102)
- CMBT to Kilambakkam (570)
- T Nagar to Thiruporur (19)
- Kilambakkam to Sholinganallur (555S)
What’s Special About These Buses?
The 12-metre buses come packed with features:
- 39 comfortable seats
- Air conditioning (for 55 buses)
- Wheelchair ramps
- Kneeling function (lowered height for easy boarding)
- LED stop alerts with GPS
- CCTV cameras and stop-request buttons
AC buses will follow regular AC fare, while non-AC buses will use the deluxe fare model.
Who Will Operate These Buses?
OHM will manage operations and drivers, while MTC pays per kilometre of service. This setup helps reduce tech-related and driver shortages. MTC officials also shared that more women drivers and conductors will be added once training is complete.
What’s Next?
This rollout is part of Phase 1 of Chennai’s 625 e-bus plan, worth Rs 697 crore. By February 2026, more buses will be introduced at Central, Tondiarpet, and Poonamallee. Phase 2 will bring 800 additional e-buses.
