With new additions, MTC fleet strength up to 3060

With Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi flagging off new buses on Thursday, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) has increased its fleet strength to 3,060 from 2,775.
Following the addition, the MTC will operate 83 new buses on 36 new routes, including those to Chengalpattu from T.Nagar and Mandaveli. Its operational area has been extended from 40 to 50 km, directly connecting important areas in the suburbs, according to a press release.
The new routes are in response to demands from commuters. Recently, the MTC held a meeting with commuters and their associations. It received more than 1,180 petitions seeking new routes.
As many as 42 of the new buses will be used to augment services on some of the existing routes. The MTC aims to operate 4,000 buses in the near future, the release stated.
Efforts are on to set up a Transport Academy for training employees. The Transport Department will speed up the process of obtaining funds from the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) for the sector, authorities say.
During 2006-07, 379 new buses were introduced and in 2007-08 (till January), 1,036 buses were inducted into the MTC fleet, the release said.