Tamil Nadu CM Vijay flags off 250 new MTC and TNSTC buses, including 130 electric buses, boosting cleaner public transport and improved connectivity across the state.
By Robin Kumar Attri
CM Vijay flagged off 250 new buses worth ₹290.8 crore.
MTC received 130 low-floor air-conditioned electric buses.
TNSTC added 120 new buses in the first phase.
Chennai already operates 625 low-floor electric buses.
Tamil Nadu plans to procure 750 more electric buses.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay flagged off 250 new buses for the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) at the Secretariat in Chennai on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. The new buses have been procured at a combined cost of ₹290.8 crore.
The launch is part of the Tamil Nadu government's wider effort to strengthen public transport services, introduce more modern buses and reduce environmental pollution through the expansion of electric mobility.
Of the 250 buses flagged off, 130 new low-floor air-conditioned electric buses have been introduced in the first phase for the MTC. These buses were procured at a cost of ₹234.50 crore.
The new electric buses are designed to provide cleaner and more comfortable public transport in Chennai. According to the details released during the event, the 130 EV buses are from Switch Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland, and form part of Tamil Nadu's broader green mobility programme.
The Chief Minister also boarded one of the new low-floor air-conditioned electric buses and personally inspected the facilities and amenities available inside the vehicle.
Tamil Nadu Transport Minister A. Vijay Tamilar Parthiban, Chief Secretary M. Sai Kumar, Transport Secretary L. Nirmal Raj, MTC Managing Director D. Mohan and other senior officials were present during the event.
The state government has been expanding the use of electric buses to help reduce environmental pollution in Chennai. At present, 625 low-floor electric buses procured at a cost of ₹697 crore are being operated through five MTC depots.
The government has also planned to procure another 750 low-floor air-conditioned electric buses at an estimated cost of ₹1,337 crore. The 130 electric buses flagged off by the Chief Minister are the first phase of this larger procurement plan.
With the addition of more electric buses, the government aims to improve public transport while reducing emissions from conventional diesel-powered vehicles.
Along with the MTC buses, Chief Minister Vijay also flagged off 120 new buses for the TNSTC. These buses have been procured at a cost of ₹55.58 crore.
The TNSTC has a larger plan to introduce 1,614 new buses across its network at an estimated cost of ₹756 crore. The 120 buses flagged off at the Secretariat mark the first phase of this initiative.
The move is expected to support the replacement and expansion of buses used for public transport services across different parts of Tamil Nadu.
During several announcements made in the Assembly, Vijay also reiterated the government's Vetri Payanam initiative for women passengers.
He said there would be no income ceiling or limit on the number of trips for women availing themselves of fare-free bus travel. Women can travel free of charge on Express, LSS and Deluxe government buses operating in metropolitan and urban areas.
The free travel facility will also apply to regular fare buses operating in suburban or Mofussil areas and hilly regions.
According to Vijay, the scheme will be rolled out on October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. The initiative is expected to require an additional government expenditure of ₹6,000 crore per year.
The Chief Minister also announced the first phase of the Annapoorani Super Six scheme, one of the major welfare promises made ahead of the April Assembly election.
Under the scheme, eligible families in Tamil Nadu will initially receive the benefit of three free LPG cooking gas cylinders every year. Instead of distributing cylinders directly, the cost of the cylinders will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiaries.
Vijay said the move would reduce the financial burden on families that have been spending additional amounts to purchase cooking gas cylinders. The government will bear the cost, with the benefit directly transferred to eligible beneficiaries.
The scheme is expected to benefit 1,30,16,104 families, including households with an annual income of nearly ₹2.5 lakh, economically backward families, small and medium farmers, differently abled people and poor families.
Preparatory work for the initiative has already started, and the scheme is expected to be launched during the Pongal festival in mid-January 2027. The Tamil Nadu government plans to allocate ₹4,000 crore per year for this initiative.
Among the other major announcements, Vijay said the proposed Parandur greenfield airport project would be shelved.
The project had faced strong opposition from farmers who did not want to part with their agricultural land.
The announcement comes alongside the government's broader set of transport, welfare and public policy measures announced by the Chief Minister.
The flagging off of 250 new buses marks another major step in Tamil Nadu's effort to modernise its public transport network. The introduction of 130 low-floor air-conditioned electric buses for MTC will further support Chennai's transition towards cleaner mobility, while the 120 new TNSTC buses will help strengthen services in other parts of the state.
With 625 electric buses already operating in Chennai, plans for another 750 air-conditioned electric buses and the larger TNSTC procurement programme for 1,614 buses, Tamil Nadu is continuing to expand and upgrade its bus fleet while also focusing on cleaner and more accessible public transportation.
Also Read: Hyundai E3W and E4W Win Gold at 2026 IDEA Awards for Innovative Electric Mobility Design
Tamil Nadu’s latest transport initiative brings 250 new buses into public service while strengthening its focus on cleaner and modern mobility. The addition of 130 low-floor air-conditioned electric buses supports Chennai’s green transport goals, while 120 TNSTC buses will improve wider connectivity. With plans for hundreds more electric and conventional buses, along with major welfare announcements, the government is pushing for better public services and passenger benefits.
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