Permits awarded for 147 new mini bus routes in Trichy

Trichy: The regional transport office (RTO) and district administration on Friday awarded sanction of permit proceedings to 147 operators for as many new mini bus routes identified under the New Comprehensive Plan for Mini Bus scheme 2024 in Trichy district. While a total of 157 new routes were identified in the district, sanction of permits for 10 routes has been put on hold for official review.

In the route allocation meeting conducted at the district collectorate, Trichy West and Srirangam RTOs read out the routes notified in the district gazette. For routes where only one mini bus operator applied, sanction of permit proceedings was awarded unopposed. But for 46 new routes that had around 9 to 30 applicants in the race for each route, draw of lots was conducted. The entire event was video-recorded to ensure transparency.

"Administrative formalities will be completed within the next few weeks to award route permits. For 10 routes that were not allotted permit proceedings, a decision will be taken in due course," an official said. According to the new scheme, buses will be allowed to operate up to a route length of 25 km. At least 65% of the route must cover unserved areas where TNSTC and private services are not available while 35% of the new route can cover served areas. "We will approach the respective RTOs to produce fitness certificates for the vehicle to start operations. Some operators may procure new buses, but many will operate existing fleets," S Jagannathan, deputy secretary, Trichy district minibus owners association, said.