Talking to The Financial Express, state transport department secretary Debendranath Sarangi said that the 21 State Transport Undertakings (STUs) had introduced 7,384 new buses between April 1996 and March 1999, replacing over-aged buses. Together, they own 17,045 buses, as against around 5,705 buses owned by private operators, and employ 1.2 lakh people, The paid-up equity of the STUs has been increased to Rs 576.77 crore on March 31, 1999 by conversion of loans and ways and means advances and also fresh sanction of equity in cash to the extent of Rs 71.50 crore. The paid-up equity, as on 1.4.1996, was Rs 35.20 crore. Last year1998-99, The Government had allocated Rs 200 crore in the budget to assist these STUs. Rs 100 crore has been allocated in the budget for year 1999-2000. ``We are trying to meet passengers' requirements in terms of speed and comfort by introducing limited stop and express services in all suitable sectors. Such services have been introduced in Madurai recently and they will be gradually extended to other cities also'', he said.

State buses, which transport 187 lakh people and cover 63 lakh km every day, is planning to open four more booking counters in the outskirts of Chennai city at Avadi, KK Nagaar, Thiruvanmiyur and Thiruvottiyur. The tele-booking facility introduced on the first of this month has been a success and on an average, over 150 enquiries are being received daily, he said.

The STUs, with 15,390 buses put on regular schedule every day, have 2,551 metropolitan services in Chennai city (16.58 per cent), 5,706 town buses in districts (37.08 per cent), 5,608 mofussil services (37.02 per cent), 556ghat section services (3.61 per cent) and 879 services operated on express routes (5.71 per cent). They also operate occasional extra services as `specials' to meet public demand.

The vehicle productivity of the Tamilnadu State Transport Corporation has been increasing steadily with 92.03 per cent fleet utilisation up to February 1999, against 91.61 per cent during 1997-98. The bus utilisation (up to February 1999) was 405 kilometers per bus per day and is the highest in the country.

Sarangi said that during the last three years, 1,291 new routes were introduced and of these, 442 routes have been introduced according to the recommendations of the members of The Legislative assembly in 1997-98. As part of the operational rationalisation, cost reduction and streamlining of purchases, the corporation hopes to effect a saving or Rs 100 crore, he said.The formation of Tamilnadu Transport Development Corporation Ltd. (TDFC), a non-banking finance company, the first of its kind in India, became the premierlending organisation to these undertakings. The government has established this non banking finance company - TDFC under the Companies Act to mobilise resources to finance the capital expenditure programme and working capital requirements of Tamilnadu STUs.

It accepts deposits from the public as well as institutions. The total deposit has crossed Rs 600 crore. Profits were ploughed back for the betterment of services and in timely replacement of worn-out rolling stock. It has been decided to merge the TDFC and the Power Finance Corporation to create Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Finance Corporation (TIFC).

``Known for its penchant for innovation and experimentation, the Government of Tamil Nadu has been seriously considering various means to modernise and improve the level of bus service in the state. The efforts are directed towards providing better comforts and value for money to the travelling public. This will certainly be a fitting tribute by the state transport undertakings of Tamil Nadu to itsclientele in the next millennium'', Sarangi said.