CHENNAI: With the number of people using MTC services to get to and from the Central increasing, the need has arisen to set up a season ticket counter at the railway station.

People working in the industrial estates in the Ambattur in the western part of the city or Gummidipoondi in the north, depend on the MTC buses to reach the suburban railway station at Moore Market Complex.

Besides, people coming from other states were also using the bus services to get to their destinations. MTC officials say they have noted the demand and have in fact sent letters to the railway officials, requesting them allocate space at the Central Railway station to set up a counter to sell season tickets and `Travel As You Please Tickets'. But, the MTC authorities say, they have not received any response from the railway officials.

A senior MTC officer said employees of private companies in the Guindy Industrial Estate earlier used to go to Saidapet to buy the monthly season tickets and other tickets. But, with the increased patronage at Guindy Industrial bus terminus, the MTC had put up a counter there.

At present, 30 counters were functioning in the south, north, central and western parts of the city selling season tickets and other tickets. The Corporation earns Rs.3 crore every month from these counters, the officer said.

Information boards

A section of bus passengers suggested that as is the practice abroad, the MTC authorities could install electronic or digital information boards at the Central, Egmore and Tambaram railway stations. The boards will carry information on the route numbers, destinations and timings. This would be a big help to people arriving at these stations.

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