Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Tamil Nadu Adds Buses as Omni Fares Trigger Festival Row
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 38% more than during the comparable festive period in 2025.
Villupuram operated the largest number of buses.
Routes to Tirunelveli and Madurai saw especially large increases.
The holiday was part of a long weekend this year, which brought more travelers.
Private bus fares also became much more expensive, and some Madurai tickets reportedly cost Rs 4,000.
Passengers and political parties criticized the high prices.
Officials inspected private buses and fined more than 400 for overcharging.
Tamil Nadu 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 comparable 2025 festive period.
Villupuram recorded 2,223 operations, while Tirunelveli and Madurai deployments rose 113% and 62%, respectively.
Private omni-bus fares reportedly increased as much as fourfold, with some Chennai-Madurai tickets reaching Rs 4,000.
Transport 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.
- 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.
- When
- The reported operations took place on September 11 and 12; the report was published on September 13, and inspections occurred during the weekend.
- Where
- Across Tamil Nadu, with major outbound activity from the Villupuram division and routes toward Tirunelveli and Madurai.
- Why
- State buses were added to handle the holiday travel rush, while private fares rose amid heavy 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 increases and demanded government intervention to prevent fare exploitation.
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 preparedness
Critics and commuters
Critics argued that authorities should have anticipated higher demand because Vinayagar Chathurthi coincided with a long weekend this year.
Transport authorities and private operators
Transport authorities increased state-bus deployments, accelerated dispatches, conducted inspections, and fined more than 400 omni buses for alleged overcharging.
- State buses operated
- 4,629 scheduled and special buses
- Increase from 2025
- 1,266 more buses, representing a 38% increase
- Largest division
- Villupuram recorded 2,223 operations over two days
- Dispatches by September 12
- 2,258 buses had been dispatched by 2 pm, exceeding the planned full-day target of 2,169
- Route increases
- Tirunelveli rose 113%, Madurai 62%, and Kumbakonam 71% year-on-year
- Private fare increase
- Fares from Chennai to destinations across Tamil Nadu reportedly rose by as much as fourfold
- Enforcement
- More than 400 omni buses were fined for overcharging
