CHENNAI: The State Government has decided to allow private operators to ply mini buses within the Chennai metropolitan area but outside the city Corporation limit. The Government plans to increase the presence of mini buses in some districts. The maximum number of mini-bus permits will be increased from the existing 250 to 350 in three districts and to 300 in six districts. In the remaining 19 districts, there will be no change in the existing number of 250 permits. This is being done to meet the growing transport needs of the commuters, senior officials said.

According to a Government gazette notification issued on June 2, the area of operation of mini buses will be expanded. Mini buses will now be permitted to operate up to 25 km from the present 20 km, subject to a condition that the services should operate at least 5 km in the unserved rural area with an overlapping distance of 8 km on routes where stage carriage services are provided.

The notification marks a major change in the transport policy of the Government. Private operators will be allowed to run services from Poonamallee High Road to Koyambedu Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus via Koyambedu market, from East Coast Road in the south to Thiruvanmiyur bus stand via Maruntheeswarar Temple and from Old Mahabalipuram Road to Tiruvanmiyur bus stand via C.P.T. Road and West Avenue. The maximum number of permits for these routes has been fixed at 500. The move to allow private operators in the three key stretches in the Chennai Metropolitan area, according to officials, followed a spurt in the number of housing colonies in these areas where people depend on private van operators or share autos.

The State transport undertakings and persons likely to be affected by the notification can send their representations to the Home Secretary within 30 days of the notification, and their petitions will be taken up for consideration at a hearing by the Home Secretary to be held in the Secretariat on July 8.

Meanwhile, the Government is also taking steps to vacate the High Court stay order against partial privatisation of bus services. Transport unions had challenged the Government notification and a stay was granted by the High Court.

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