Are Bus Operators Hiking Fares During Tamil Nadu Elections? Here Are The Numbers To File Complaints

With lakhs of voters rushing to their hometowns ahead of the April 23 polls, allegations of excessive fares by omni bus operators have surfaced across Tamil Nadu, drawing the attention of the Transport Department.

Hence, the Tamil Nadu Transport Commissionerate has released a set of helpline numbers for passengers to report fare violations and related grievances. Officials have assured strict enforcement, with special teams comprising Regional Transport Officers (RTOs), Motor Vehicle Inspectors, and transport checkpost personnel deployed across the state. Authorities have warned that violators could face severe action, including cancellation of permits.

Passengers can lodge complaints via phone, SMS, or WhatsApp, enabling real-time reporting during the peak travel period.

Helpline Numbers:

Chennai Transport & Road Safety Commissionerate: 1800 425 6151
Chennai North: 9944253404
Chennai South: 9790550052
Madurai: 9095366394
Coimbatore: 9123593971
Villupuram: 9677398825
Vellore: 9840023011
Salem: 7845636423
Erode: 8056940040
Tiruchy: 9066032343
Virudhunagar: 9025723800
Tirunelveli: 9698118011
Thanjavur: 9585020865

The initiative aims to curb exploitation and ensure fair pricing during one of the busiest travel windows in the state.

Meanwhile, on the night of April 21 alone, approximately 1.88 lakh passengers departed Chennai on special buses. A total of 3,431 buses operated that day, with 3,570 more scheduled on April 22 and an additional 600 services planned until 1 pm on April 23, according to a report in DT Next.

These buses are operating from key termini including Koyambedu, Kilambakkam, and Madhavaram, primarily to facilitate voter movement from the capital to various districts.

To further ease congestion, the State Transport Corporation has rolled out special bus services, while Southern Railway has introduced additional trains. Two special trains to southern districts and one to Coimbatore are running on April 22.Southern Railway has also announced special unreserved services from Chennai Egmore:

• Train No. 06161 (MEMU): Departs at 9:55 pm on April 22, arriving in Madurai at 8:45 am the next day, covering major stations including Tambaram, Villupuram, Chidambaram, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, and Dindigul.
• Train No. 06179: Leaves at 11:55 pm on April 22 and reaches Podanur at 9:30 am, passing through Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, and Tiruppur.
• Return service (Train No. 06162): Departs Madurai at 3:30 pm on April 23 and arrives at Tambaram by 11:00 pm.

These measures are aimed at reducing travel congestion and ensuring voters can reach their destinations in time to cast their votes.