MTC adds 41 school buses in Chennai from July 13, fleet grows to 66
Synopsis
Chennai's MTC is more than doubling its school bus fleet overnight — from 25 to 66 buses — following a 10-day field study triggered by a single MLA's representation. With 134 daily trips starting 13 July, the expansion is one of the most rapid scale-ups of dedicated student transport in the city's recent history.
Key Takeaways
MTC will deploy 41 additional special school buses in Chennai from 13 July 2025 .
The total dedicated school bus fleet grows from 25 to 66 buses , with daily trips rising from 50 to 134 .
The expansion was initiated after Saidapet MLA Arul Prakasam raised the issue with Transport Minister A.
Vijay Tamilan Parthiban on 30 June .
A 10-day field study in Saidapet and nearby areas informed the government's decision to approve the expanded network.
Transport Minister A.
Vijay Tamilan Parthiban and MTC MD T.
Mohan inspected the new buses on Saturday before rollout.
MTC will monitor demand and may add more routes if required after services begin.
Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) will deploy 41 additional special school buses across Chennai from Monday, 13 July, expanding its dedicated student transport fleet to 66 buses citywide. The expanded service will run 134 trips daily, providing morning and evening connectivity between residential areas and schools during peak hours.
What the Expansion Covers
The 66 special school buses will serve students across multiple localities in Chennai, operating dedicated trips to reduce congestion on regular MTC routes during school opening and closing hours. Prior to this rollout, the corporation ran 25 dedicated school buses covering 25 educational institutions and making 50 trips daily — meaning the new addition more than doubles both the fleet size and daily trip count.
How the Decision Was Reached
The expansion follows a 10-day field assessment conducted by MTC officials in Saidapet and surrounding localities, where high concentrations of school students depend on public buses. The study was initiated after Saidapet MLA Arul Prakasam submitted a representation to Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban on 30 June, seeking better bus connectivity for students in his constituency.
During the survey, MTC officials interacted with students, parents, teachers, and school authorities to map travel patterns, identify overcrowded corridors, and assess the case for dedicated services. A detailed report was subsequently submitted to the government, which approved the fleet expansion.
Government Backing and Ministerial Oversight
The initiative was launched on the directions of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay as part of a broader push to strengthen public transport for schoolchildren across Tamil Nadu. Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban personally inspected the newly introduced buses on Saturday ahead of their rollout, accompanied by MTC Managing Director T. Mohan and senior transport officials.
What Happens Next
Officials stated that the corporation will monitor passenger demand once services begin and will consider introducing additional school special buses on other routes if required. The government expects the strengthened network to improve punctuality, reduce travel-related stress for students, and ease pressure on regular MTC services during peak hours.
Point of View
A ministerial inspection, and a fleet doubling — all within a fortnight. That responsiveness is commendable, but the real test is sustainability. Chennai's school transport demand is not uniform across the city, and concentrating new routes around a politically active constituency raises questions about whether the most underserved corridors were prioritised. MTC's commitment to post-launch demand monitoring is the right instinct; the government should publish route-level ridership data to ensure the next round of expansion is driven by need, not representation.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many special school buses will MTC operate in Chennai from 13 July 2025?
MTC will operate a total of 66 special school buses from 13 July 2025, after adding 41 new buses to its existing fleet of 25. These buses will run 134 dedicated trips daily covering morning and evening school hours.
Why did MTC decide to expand its school bus service in Chennai?
The expansion follows a 10-day field assessment in Saidapet and nearby areas, initiated after Saidapet MLA Arul Prakasam submitted a representation to Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban on 30 June seeking better bus connectivity for students. The study found heavy overcrowding on regular MTC routes during school hours.
Which areas in Chennai will benefit from the new school buses?
The new buses will serve students across residential neighbourhoods and schools throughout Chennai, with the initial field study focused on Saidapet and several adjoining localities where large numbers of students rely on public transport.
Who directed the MTC school bus expansion?
The initiative was launched on the directions of Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay as part of the Tamil Nadu government's efforts to strengthen public transport for schoolchildren. Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilan Parthiban oversaw the rollout and inspected the new buses on Saturday.
Will MTC add more school buses on other routes in Chennai?
Yes, MTC officials stated the corporation will monitor passenger demand after services begin and will consider introducing additional school special buses on other routes if required.
