Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay is set to inaugurate the second phase of Chennai's electric bus expansion on Tuesday, 26 August, flagging off services from the Tamil Nadu Secretariat. The launch marks a significant milestone in the state's push for cleaner urban mobility, with 130 air-conditioned electric buses beginning operations initially from the Alandur depot.

What the Second Phase Covers

Under phase two, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) plans to deploy 750 new low-floor, air-conditioned electric buses across seven depots — Alandur, Central Depot-II, Perambur, Padianallur, Avadi, K.K. Nagar, and Iyyappanthangal. The Chief Minister will also flag off five electric buses from the Secretariat premises as part of the inauguration ceremony.

Buses will be introduced in batches as charging infrastructure and maintenance facilities are commissioned at each of the seven depots. The government has indicated that all 750 buses will become operational progressively once the required facilities are in place.

Accessibility and Passenger Benefits

The new fleet features a low-floor design, specifically intended to ease boarding and alighting for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and passengers with limited mobility. The air-conditioned interiors are expected to deliver a quieter, more comfortable commute on heavily trafficked city routes.

The expanded fleet is also anticipated to improve service frequency, reducing waiting times for daily commuters across the Chennai metropolitan region.

Environmental Impact and Emissions Goals

Electric buses produce zero tailpipe emissions, directly addressing Chennai's growing air pollution challenge. The initiative forms part of the Tamil Nadu government's broader strategy to reduce vehicular emissions and cut the city's dependence on diesel-powered public transport.

Notably, this comes amid increasing pressure on Indian metros to meet urban air quality standards, with public transport electrification identified as a key lever by both central and state governments.

Phase 1 Recap and Combined Fleet Size

The first phase of the MTC electric bus programme saw 625 low-floor electric buses deployed from five depots — Vyasarpadi, Perumbakkam, Poonamallee, Central Depot, and Tondiarpet-I — at an estimated cost of ₹697 crore. Once all 750 buses under phase two are fully operational, Chennai's combined electric bus fleet will stand at 1,375 vehicles, making it one of the largest electric public transport fleets in South India.

With charging infrastructure being established at all seven new depots, the government expects the expanded fleet to significantly reduce fuel consumption and operational emissions across the city's transport network.