MTC Double-Decker Buses to Make a Nostalgic Comeback in Chennai

The MTC double-decker buses are scheduled to make a comeback by December 2025 in electric form.

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) is gearing up to revive one of Chennai’s most iconic public transport experiences—the double-decker bus. Scheduled for a grand return by the end of 2025, this time, the city’s towering buses will come back fully electric, offering both daily commuting utility and a unique twist on heritage tourism.

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MTC Double-Decker Bus: Backed by the National Clean Air Programme

• 20 electric double-decker buses have been sanctioned under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
• The project, with a ₹10 crore investment, will follow a Gross Cost Contract model—buses will be run by private operators paid on a per-kilometre basis, while MTC retains route and fare control.
• Tenders will be floated soon, with buses expected to roll out by December 2025.

Two Roles: Commuter Service and Heritage Tourism

• On weekdays, the new MTC double-decker buses will ply high-demand urban routes to ease congestion.
• On weekends, they will be deployed on curated heritage circuits, offering pre-booked rides with onboard tourist guides.
• Proposed tourist routes include Anna Salai, Kamarajar Salai, and East Coast Road to Mahabalipuram.

“Apart from their regular use, these buses will run on select tourist circuits on weekends when commuter patronage is low,” said T Prabhushankar, Managing Director, MTC.

Chennai Follows a National Trend

Cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata have already reintroduced electric double-decker buses to great public response. Mumbai’s BEST currently operates 50 electric double-deckers and plans to scale to 1,000 units, using them as feeders to train stations.

Chennai, meanwhile, has a deep historical link to double-deckers. First introduced in the 1970s, they were last seen on the 18A route from High Court to Tambaram before being phased out in 2008.

Double Decker Buses Are More Efficient

• Passenger capacity of ~90 makes electric double-deckers 1.5x more efficient than regular buses.
• Ideal for short-distance, high-density routes with overhead clearance.
• Will improve comfort and accessibility, especially if low-floor designs are adopted.
• If well-branded, they can become a tourism icon for Chennai, like London’s red double-deckers.

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MTC Double-Decker Bus: A Boost for Chennai’s Tourism & Transit

Sriharan Balan, Chairman of SICCI’s Tourism Committee, described it as a “big bus” concept popular worldwide. “The city needs more tourist-friendly services, and this is a welcome move,” he said.

The MTC double-decker bus revival combines nostalgia with sustainability, aiming to reshape Chennai’s urban transport image while giving locals and tourists an elevated ride through the city’s historic heart.