22nd Oct 2008 will be a day to remember.
The option to ride in an A/C Bus tempted me to opt out of my regular MRTS Train.
The Ticket Fare from Tidel Park to Saidapet (in Chennai) was Rs.18/-. Just to give a comparison – on the same route a normal bus costs Rs.3.50/- and a Delux Bus costs Rs.7/-. The fair seemed costly to me.
The ambience inside the bus was good. they had a Public Address System through which the Conductor announced the Stops, FM Radio and a 7″ Digital Display for Rear View !!!!!
One advantage riding in the bus was when you get caught in a traffic jam, you can at least be in an ambient environ instead of uncomfortably hot and humid environ in a normal bus. (it took 30Mins. to cover a distance of 4.5KM)
A/c bus was newly introduced in this route (19B – T.Nagar to Kelambakkam) and I think is a good revenue spinner for MTC considering the no. of IT companies on this route and the infrequent timings of normal buses.
It would have been better if MTC starts more services and also can consider reduction in the min. fare.