CUMTA takes up study to assess gaps in last-mile connectivity

The last-mile connectivity in the city has been a major issue for those using public transport. Though the Metropolitan Transport Corporation’s (MTC) attempted to bridge the last-mile gap for commuters using suburban trains and Metro Rail services through the operation of mini-buses, it failed to take off in a big way because of poor revenue generation, leading to the reduction of the mini-bus services.

Now, the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA), in an attempt to improve the connectivity, has suggested that the MTC re-organise bus routes to cater to highly populated areas.

As part of this initiative, CUMTA had undertaken a bus improvement study, wherein surveys were carried out among commuters using suburban trains, Metro, and MTC buses.

I. Jeyakumar, member secretary, CUMTA, said the bus improvement study was done to create an integrated public transport system of Metro, suburban trains, and MTC buses for optimal utilisation of the public transport facilities.

In the study, the CUMTA kept the zone-wise map of the Chennai Metropolitan Area as the basis to find the dense corridors, and studied 664 bus routes, in which 3,300 buses are operated. 

The CUMTA carried out 13 types of surveys. Questionnaire-based surveys were conducted at 397 MTC bus stops, 102 surveys at suburban train and MRTS stations, at 80 bus terminals, and with members of various transport unions.

The survey was done to assess the character study of the MTC routes; to identify the primary, secondary, and other corridors.

The study aims to bring about a phased rearrangement of bus services, where overlapping bus services would be re-routed, and demand corridors and strategic route interchange points identified.

The CUMTA recently convened a meeting, under the chairmanship of MTC Managing Director T. Prabhushankar, to discuss bus transport and last-mile connectivity improvement plan for the Chennai Metropolitan Area. The meeting had a comprehensive review of existing bus operations and Intermediate Public Transport services, which could be implemented to enhance service delivery, and address the city’s evolving mobility needs in the near future.

M. Barath, a regular commuter of suburban trains at St. Thomas Mount station, said that the integration of Metro and suburban trains had been carried out in some stations, but bus services for last-mile connectivity has to be improved for those bound for Madipakkam, Adambakkam, and Nanganallur.

H. Purushoth, a resident of Madipakkam, said the private bus operations launched in the extended areas of the city corporation limits is slowly fulfilling the need, and should be promoted.

An official of the MTC said the bus improvement study was being looked into, and soon, a proposal would be sent to the State government for approval to enhance the last-mile connectivity under the gross cost contract model.