Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Chennai Begins Second Phase of Electric Bus Expansion
Chennai is adding more electric buses to its public transportation system.
The first group will include 130 buses from the Alandur depot.
The city eventually plans to add 750 buses in this second phase.
These buses will be low to the ground, making them easier for older people and people with disabilities to use.
They will also have air conditioning and produce no tailpipe emissions.
The buses are intended to reduce pollution and the use of diesel.
They will be introduced in batches as charging and maintenance facilities are completed.
Together with the first phase, Chennai is expected to have 1,375 electric buses.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will inaugurate Chennai’s second electric bus programme phase on Tuesday.
The Metropolitan Transport Corporation plans to introduce 750 low-floor, air-conditioned electric buses from seven depots.
The initial rollout will deploy 130 buses from the Alandur depot, with five buses flagged off from the Secretariat.
The second phase will expand Chennai’s electric fleet to 1,375 buses when all planned vehicles become operational.
The programme aims to reduce emissions and fuel consumption while improving accessibility, comfort and service frequency.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and the Metropolitan Transport Corporation are involved in the rollout.
- What
- Chennai is launching the second phase of its electric bus programme, including an initial deployment of 130 buses and plans for 750 buses overall.
- When
- The second phase will be inaugurated on Tuesday; buses will be introduced in batches as facilities become ready.
- Where
- The initial buses will operate from Alandur, while the second-phase programme covers seven Chennai-area depots.
- Why
- The initiative aims to reduce vehicular emissions and fuel consumption while improving public transport comfort, accessibility and service frequency.
- Second-phase target
- 750 low-floor, air-conditioned electric buses
- Initial rollout
- 130 buses from the Alandur depot
- Depots for phase two
- Alandur, Central Depot-II, Perambur, Padianallur, Avadi, K.K. Nagar and Iyyappanthangal
- Total fleet after both phases
- 1,375 electric buses
- First-phase fleet
- 625 buses from five depots
- First-phase cost
- Estimated at Rs 697 crore
- Launch event
- Five electric buses will be flagged off from the Tamil Nadu Secretariat