Cuddalore District to Get 64 New Mini Bus Routes

TNSTC Diwali Special Buses Tamil Nadu 2024
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Cuddalore District to Get 64 New Mini Bus Routes, enhancing transportation in unserved areas. The Transport Department has identified these new routes, which are aimed at improving connectivity in the district.

Based on a comprehensive study by the Cuddalore and Chidambaram Regional Transport Offices (RTOs), these new routes have already been notified in the district gazette. With the addition of these 64 routes, the total number of mini bus routes in Cuddalore will increase to 159.

Also Read: CM Stalin to Launch Mini Bus Services Across Tamil Nadu on May 1

Key Details about the New Mini Bus Routes

  • Total New Routes: 64
  • Total Mini Bus Routes in Cuddalore: 159 (after the expansion)
  • Route Distance: Maximum 25 km on each new route
  • Capacity of Minibuses: 25+2 passengers and crew members

Route Allocation and Permit Process

The newly identified mini bus routes have specific criteria to meet for issuing permits:

Application Process:
Public can apply for permits for the new routes by submitting the prescribed application format to the respective RTOs. Applications can be submitted for routes where the starting or ending point is an unserved residential area or village, while the other point should be a bus stand or stop.

Route Extension:
The route length can extend up to 1 km if it passes by key locations such as:

  • Schools, colleges, or railway stations
  • Uzhavar Santhai (farmers’ market), Collectorate, taluk office
  • Important places of worship

Additional Criteria for Existing Operators:
Existing mini-bus operators can switch to the new routes by submitting their interest and surrendering their current permits.
New routes must include a minimum of 1.5 km of unserved area.

Lot System for Route Allotment:
If multiple applications are received for a route, the route holder will be chosen by a lottery system. Once a holder is chosen, proceedings will be issued for purchasing new vehicles.

Minibus Specifications:

Minibuses must have a wheelbase of 390 cm. The seating capacity for minibuses is set at 25 passengers, along with 2 crew members.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu Floats Electric Bus Tender for 500 Low-Floor Buses

Permit Validity and Renewal

The route permits issued will be valid for a period of five years. After this period, permit holders will need to renew their permits as per the prevailing rules and regulations at that time.