The Times of India             27.09.2013

Corporation to set up bus shelters with maps, heritage details

CHENNAI: Soon-to-be-set-up bus shelters in the city will contain more than information about bus timings.

Chennai Corporation officials said the 108 bus shelters that will come up in different areas will include details about different routes and frequency of services and accessibility to the nearest railway station and bus depots through other forms of transport. The area map in each shelter will display information about schools, hospitals, religious institutions and government offices in the locality.

"We also plan to write a brief history and traditions of the neighbourhood for the benefit of commuters. It will also help heritage lovers," said a corporation official.

Now, most bus shelters in the city are covered with advertisements and posters and there is little of what commuters want. In 2008, the Metropolitan Transport Corporation introduced, at some bus stops along the 21G (Tambaram-Parry's) route, a service that would display the timings of buses at different stops. This, however, could not be extended to more places.

The civic body's latest move is expected to be of great help to commuters. "There are not enough display boards in the city to help find various locations. It will be nice if such details are provided on a bus shelter," said Santhosh Varghese, who recently moved to the city. He suggested that the revised autorickshaw fares can also be displayed on the shelters.

Road experts have welcomed the corporation's plan saying would lead to an increase in the number of people using public transport. "Many commuters now are unaware of the different bus routes or the places en route. Such information provided at bus shelters could be of great help," said Raj Cherubal of Chennai City Connect, an NGO working on transport issues. He said most bus shelters in cities like Singapore and at metro stations in New Delhi had area maps and information to guide passengers.

The corporation recently removed several illegal bus shelters in various parts of the city, but commuters are fuming because of the absence of an alternative. Corporation officials said a detailed survey had been completed on bus route roads across the 15 zones. "These bus shelters will be installed in places where there is no such facility. Damaged shelters will also be replaced," the official said.