45 mins ago
Tamil Nadu Adds Buses as Omni Fares Spark Outcry
Tamil Nadu added many state-run buses for the Vinayagar Chathurthi holiday rush.
A total of 4,629 buses operated on September 11 and 12.
This was more than the number used during the same festive period in 2025.
Villupuram sent out the largest number of buses.
Routes to Tirunelveli and Madurai saw especially large increases.
Private bus fares also became much more expensive, and some tickets reportedly cost Rs 4,000.
Political parties and passengers criticized the high prices.
Officials inspected private buses and fined more than 400 of them for overcharging.
Tamil Nadu’s state transport corporations operated 4,629 scheduled and special buses on September 11 and 12.
The deployment was 38% higher than the 3,313 buses operated during the corresponding 2025 festive period.
Villupuram recorded 2,223 operations, while Tirunelveli and Madurai deployments rose 113% and 62%, respectively.
Private omni-bus fares reportedly rose as much as fourfold, with some last-minute Chennai–Madurai tickets reaching Rs 4,000.
Authorities fined more than 400 omni buses after weekend inspections for allegedly overcharging passengers.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu State Transport Undertakings, private omni-bus operators, passengers, political parties including the PMK and BJP, and transport authorities were involved.
- What
- State transport corporations increased bus operations for Vinayagar Chathurthi, while private omni-bus fares rose sharply and more than 400 buses were fined for overcharging.
- Where
- Across Tamil Nadu, with major outbound activity from the Villupuram division and routes toward Tirunelveli and Madurai.
- When
- The reported bus operations took place on September 11 and 12, with inspections conducted during the weekend.
- Why
- State buses were added to manage the holiday travel rush, while private fares increased amid high demand and limited availability on state buses or trains.
Critics and commuters
Transport authorities and private operators
Private fare increases
Critics and commuters
Passengers and opposition parties, including the PMK and BJP, criticized the steep fare hikes and called for government intervention.
Transport authorities and private operators
The articles report that private operators raised fares during the holiday rush, but do not provide their stated justification or response.
Government response
Critics and commuters
PMK president Dr Anbumani Ramadoss questioned the state’s inaction and accused the administration of allowing passengers to be overcharged.
Transport authorities and private operators
Transport authorities increased state-bus operations, accelerated dispatches, conducted inspections, and fined more than 400 omni buses.
Key facts
- State buses operated
- 4,629 scheduled and special buses
- Increase from 2025
- 1,266 more buses, or a 38% increase
- Largest division
- Villupuram recorded 2,223 operations over two days
- Dispatches by September 12, 2 pm
- 2,258 buses, exceeding the planned full-day target of 2,169
- Private fare increase
- Fares rose by as much as fourfold
- Reported highest fare
- Last-minute Chennai–Madurai tickets reached as much as Rs 4,000
- Enforcement
- More than 400 omni buses were fined for overcharging
Sources
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