MTC Chennai is Installing Under Run Protection in 2,122 Buses
In the wake of the rising number of bus accidents, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) has decided to upgrade its fleet with a significant safety enhancement.
MTC Chennai is implementing Under Run Protection in its buses. This upgrade is designed to enhance the safety of bikers and pedestrians.
This Under Run Protection prevents bikers and pedestrians from getting caught under buses during accidents, particularly when overtaking or in other unforeseen incidents.
MTC Chennai has selected a total of 2,212 buses for this upgrade.
In the first phase, 600 buses have already been equipped with Under Run Protection.
In the second phase, 1,612 buses were selected, of which 715 buses have already been upgraded with this safety measure.
MTC Chennai is upgrading its fleet with a significant safety enhancement by implementing Under Run Protection. This upgrade is designed to enhance the safety of bikers and pedestrians.
— MTC Chennai (@MtcChennai) June 5, 2024
This Under Run Protection prevents bikers and pedestrians from getting caught under buses… pic.twitter.com/ubtAjkyMvr
What is an Under Run Protection Device?
Under Run Protection devices (also known as URPDs) are safety installations on trucks, buses, and other heavy commercial vehicles. The main purpose of the installation is to save motorists, pedestrians, and smaller vehicles from getting under these bigger vehicles in case of accidents.
In the European Union, front RUPDs are mandatory for most heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and must meet the technical requirements of Regulation 93.
What you see in the picture of the MTC Chennai bus is actually a Side Underrun Protection Device (SUPD) that safeguards cyclists or pedestrians who may end up under a vehicle in an urban environment.
How MTC is Leading the Way in Safety
Over the last month, the MTC Chennai has adopted a slew of safety measures. Last week, in view of the risks posed to students traveling on footboard of buses, the corporation installed automatic doors in its buses.
The corporation identified 468 buses plying on key educational routes, like 23C and 29, for this initiative.
The decision was taken after earlier attempts to discourage students from traveling on footboard through various ways failed to bear fruit.
In an interview with the Times of India, MTC Chennai Managing Director Alby John opened up about the difficulties faced by conductors in enforcing these rules consistently.
“Our bus conductors tried their best but it’s a very challenging task to convince students to not travel on footboard. Most of the time, it even leads to confrontations,” he was quoted saying.
MTC Chennai is taking various measures for commuter safety.
— MTC Chennai (@MtcChennai) May 31, 2024
As part of this, automatic doors are being fixed on #MTC buses. A total of 468 buses were identified without doors. In the first phase, 200 buses were selected, and doors were successfully fixed on all of them. In the… pic.twitter.com/q8eCPgbJ0t
MTC is making strides in modernizing its services by rolling out Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs). On June 1, the corporation announced that ETMs are now fully deployed across all depots, ensuring a smoother and more efficient ticketing process for all commuters.
📢 Dear MTC Chennai Commuters!
— MTC Chennai (@MtcChennai) June 1, 2024
𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 (𝗘𝗧𝗠𝘀) 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝟯𝟮 𝗠𝗧𝗖 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘀!
These ETMs, inaugurated on 28th February 2024,… pic.twitter.com/kxGoguffgb
