TDFC to fund purchasing of 1,868 buses

Tamil Nadu Transport Development Finance Corporation Limited has proposed to fund Rs 400.44 crore for purchasing 1,868 new buses by State Transport Undertakings, the assembly was informed today.
Transport Minister V Senthil Balaji said besides the purchase, financial assistance would be also given to the Undertakings for payment of motor vehicle tax, bonus and working capital of Rs 1,495.55 crore.
While the number of scheduled services has increased from 19,110 in March 2011 to 20,684 in March this year, the fuel efficiency kilometre per litre has increased from 5.25 kilometre per litre in March 2011 to 5.26 kilometre per litre in March 2014 and increased to 5.30 kilometre per litre during June 2014, the minister said.

At present, the average age of fleet is 5.02 (last year 4.4) years.
During 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 STUs have earned s 18.42 crore by operating bus services on hire basis and Public Private Partnership project.
A total of 1,476 new routes have been inaugurated since May 16, 2011, when the new government assumed office and over 4,649 new buses have been purchased, Balaji said.
The government was also proposing to procure new buses for 2014-15 at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore under the JNUURM-II to replace the over aged vehicles, he said.
On the introduction of Smart Travel Card Scheme in Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses in Chennai, he said the necessary infrastructure was in progress and the tendering process was progressing.