Amid tussle with association, TN govt issues directive disallowing entry of omni buses into Chennai

“If any violation is noticed, severe action will be taken against the operator as per provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act and rules,” a statement from the Transport department on Wednesday read.

On Wednesday, Chennai Metropolitan Department Authority Minister P K Sekar Babu said a government cannot function as per the whims of the Omni Bus Owners Association.

Babu said even before the inauguration of the terminus at Kilambakkam, discussions were held between the government and the omni bus associations and the latter had agreed to operate the busses in a phased manner from December 30, 2023 (the day of the inauguration) and later sought time to operate from January 24. However, now they are claiming that they are not ready to operate from Kilambakkam.

“We request the omni bus associations to stick to their word and oblige the directions of the government,” Babu added.

The Transport department, in a circular on January 22, had said when the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) commences their operation from the KCBT, it would not be advisable to allow the omni buses to enter the city to pick up and drop passengers. It had said that the move may create an unhealthy competition between the two players and lead to huge revenue losses to the SETC.

The government had also said that the KCBT has already earmarked various facilities for the omni bus operators, hence, at any point of time, no less than 250 omni buses can be parked at the KCBT. “This will ensure smooth operation of all south-bound omni operations from the KCBT even during the peak festival seasons,” the Transport department had said.

A Anbalagan, president of the All Omni Bus Owners Association, said, “On an average, around 1,000 buses are operated on a daily basis and currently, the KCBT has space to accommodate only 144 buses. The government had promised to build a bus stand at Mudichur for omni buses on a five-acre of land. But the construction hasn’t been completed and it is expected to take six more months.”

“Despite raising this issue during multiple meetings with the government officials, they didn’t provide us a solution and suddenly on January 22 they issued a statement saying that from January 24, omni buses should not be operated. This sudden announcement has caused unnecessary confusion to passengers who had made bookings 30 to 90 days prior. We request the intervention of the Chief Minister and the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority. The Transport department should consider the plight of the passengers and provide a solution accordingly,” he said.