Chennai, April 22 (IANS) In view of the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) has announced the operation of a large number of special buses from Chennai to enable voters to travel to their native places and cast their votes.

According to an official statement, a total of 6,132 special buses will be operated on Wednesday in addition to the regular fleet of 2,092 services departing from the city.

The move is aimed at managing the surge in passenger traffic ahead of polling day, as thousands of residents typically return to their hometowns to exercise their franchise.

Transport officials said that on the day of polling tomorrow, an additional 1,505 special buses will be operated to cater to the return and last-minute travel requirements of passengers.

Authorities expect heavy rush across major bus terminals as the election draws closer.

The special services will primarily originate from key bus termini in Chennai, including Koyambedu, Kilambakkam, and Madhavaram.

These hubs have been identified as major departure points to facilitate smooth dispersal of passengers travelling to various districts across the state.

Passengers have been strongly advised to make advance reservations to avoid last-minute inconvenience, especially in view of the anticipated heavy demand.

Transport authorities noted that prior booking would help reduce congestion at bus stations and ensure a more orderly travel experience.

To further enhance connectivity, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) will operate round-the-clock feeder bus services linking Koyambedu with Kilambakkam and Madhavaram.

This arrangement is expected to assist passengers in seamlessly accessing long-distance buses from different parts of the city. However, the spike in travel demand has also led to concerns among commuters, as fares of private omni buses operating out of Chennai have reportedly surged up to three times the usual rates.

Many passengers have expressed dissatisfaction over the steep hike, urging authorities to intervene and regulate pricing during the peak travel period.

With extensive arrangements in place, transport officials expressed confidence that the additional services would help manage the election rush efficiently and ensure that voters are able to reach their destinations without major disruption.

—IANS

aal/rad