Is MTC's Expansion of Private Recruitment to Diesel Buses a Smart Move?

Chennai, Aug 20 (NationPress) The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) of Chennai has announced a significant expansion of its private hiring initiative, now extending to drivers and conductors for its traditional diesel buses, following the implementation of this strategy in its newly introduced electric fleet just a month prior.

Officials state that this initiative aims to tackle the critical staff shortages that have left hundreds of buses idle. However, trade unions are vehemently opposing this decision and have pledged to take legal action against it.

Under the new plan, MTC intends to recruit 1,172 conductors and 1,020 drivers via private recruitment agencies, offering a competitive monthly salary of Rs 26,750 for conductors, which includes provident fund contributions, insurance, and additional benefits.

All ticketing operations will utilize electronic ticketing machines, and tenders have been issued to finalize the agencies tasked with supplying the full workforce of 2,192 personnel.

Currently, the corporation is facing 3,000 vacancies among its driver and conductor positions, which hampers the operation of its complete fleet of 3,200 buses.

At this moment, only approximately 2,800 buses are in service each day, with nearly 400 buses parked due to crew shortages and a lack of spare parts.

Officials believe that the recruitment will allow for the reintroduction of around 300 additional buses into service, providing support to the 26.5 lakh commuters who rely on MTC daily.

MTC Managing Director T. Prabhushankar emphasized that temporary conductors have been utilized for several months to ensure seamless operations.

“Due to a considerable number of retirements recently, we opted to hire temporary staff to prevent service disruptions,” he clarified.

Currently, MTC engages 625 conductors and 875 drivers on a contract basis. Out of an overall workforce of 18,000, MTC has 7,600 conductors and 7,000 drivers.

Additionally, MTC confirmed that all 170 electric buses launched last month under the support of the World Bank and AIIB, as part of the Chennai Sustainable Urban Services Program (C-SUSP), are entirely operated by private personnel.

The revised hiring criteria for female conductors, which now lowers the minimum height requirement from 160 cm to 150 cm and sets a minimum weight of 45 kg, will apply to this recruitment round. The criteria for men remain unchanged at 160 cm height and 48 kg weight.

Nevertheless, unions have strongly rebuffed this initiative. Arumuga Nainar, general secretary of the Transport Employees Federation (CITU), stated, “These roles require permanent employees due to the inherent risks and the commitment involved. We have already initiated legal proceedings in the Supreme Court against the engagement of private agencies and will pursue further action to halt this.”