SETC to hire pvt sleeper buses as fleet procurement delayed

Chennai: State express transport corporation (SETC) will soon hire sleeper-cum-seater buses for long routes including from Chennai to places such as Madurai, Coimbatore, and Tirunelveli. The fare structure will remain unchanged to ensure affordability.With delays in procuring new govt-owned buses, SETC has decided to rope in 20 private buses in the first phase, targeting peak demand during the summer holidays, festival weekends, and other auspicious days. The leased buses will have 30 seats and 15 berths each. Drivers and maintenance responsibilities will lie with the private operators, who will run the buses from their own depots. SETC will post its conductors to collect fares and issue tickets.Commuters have welcomed the move, saying the addition of sleeper-seater buses will offer more options. "Most special buses run during festivals are basic mofussil seaters. Sleeper buses are booked out well in advance. If they hire better-conditioned private buses, it helps us," said D Ramakrishnan, a resident-activist from Adambakkam.SETC currently has a fleet of only 1,080 buses for long-distance and overnight operations, which is insufficient to cater to the increasing demand during holidays. R Mohan, SETC managing director, said the hiring model is designed not just to bridge the capacity gap but also to improve cost efficiency.The corporation presently spends around 56 per km operating its own fleet. Private operators are expected to quote between 48 and 50 per km in the upcoming tender. On an average daily run of 650 to 700 km, SETC could save 3,200 per bus, making the model financially viable for the loss-making corporation.However, unions have criticized the move as ‘semi-privatisation' of govt services and warned of complications, especially in the event of accidents. Responding to this, SETC officials said only insured buses with valid IMT 44 clauses would be hired, allowing quick settlement of claims to passengers in case of mishaps during the hire period.