This has led to high interest commitments and delays in making payments to suppliers of fuel, spares and other statutory commitments in time

5.0 Comparison of Fare structure prevailing in other States:

Due to low fare structure and increased cost of inputs, the losses of State Transport Undertakings stood at a higher level. Considering the above facts, the Government revised the bus fare from 1.12.2001 and the same was reduced marginally from 6.12.2001. Due to revision of bus fare, the State Transport Undertakings would make reduced losses in the current year. Present fare structure for Mofussil Express Services in Tamilnadu with comparative figures of other Southern States is given below.

(In Paise)

It may be seen that the fare structure of Tamil Nadu is still among the lowest.

6.0 Road Safety and Prevention of Accidents

This Government gives primary importance to road safety, reduction and avoidance of accidents. Intensive training to drivers, refresher courses, and reduction of driving stress by encouraging recreation and relaxation, implementation of a revised system of rewards for safe driving are some of the measures which are implemented for accident free driving.

The accident compensation commitment has gone up drastically from 16.03 Crores in 1991-92 to 73.30 Crores in 2000-2001 due to exponential increase in traffic on the roads. The details of measures taken by State Transport Undertakings to avoid accidents are given below:

6.1. Most of the accidents are caused due to lack of concentration on the part of the Drivers. Training in Yoga will help to achieve higher levels of concentration while driving. YOGA training is being given to the Drivers of all State Transport Undertakings.

6.2 Safety clinics and brain storming sessions are organised in the Driver Training Schools to educate the accident-prone Drivers on defensive driving practices.

6.3. The Road Safety Patrolling is arranged continuously to identify the Drivers who violate traffic rules and laws and initiate suitable action against them.

6.4 A number of preventive and curative measures have been taken by the STUs for prevention of accidents. In order to inculcate safety consciousness among Drivers, the Safety Driving Award Schemes are being implemented by the STUs. Accident free Award scheme encourages the Drivers to maintain good driving habits and accident-free record. With a view to create a cadre of efficient Drivers, the Corporations have established Driver Training Schools.

6.5 Drivers who have performed line duty without any accident for the continuous period of ten years are granted one special increment.

6.6 Refresher courses are conducted in the Driver Training School, to create awareness among Drivers for prevention of accidents. The Driving Range at Gummidipoondi has been improved at a cost of Rs.80.00 lakhs. .

6.7 The Institute of Road Transport has introduced a scheme for driver training. Under this scheme, young men with good physique and SSLC qualification are selected and given intensive training for 12 weeks on driving heavy transport vehicles, Motor mechanism, public relations, First Aid, etc. Preference is being given for employment in STUs for Drivers trained in Institute of Road Transport.

6.8 In view of the technological development in the Automobile sector and to enable the Drivers to understand the Road Traffic Rules to ensure accident free driving, the Government have enhanced the educational qualification of Heavy Vehicles Drivers recruited in the STUs from eighth standard to SSLC/Tenth standard pass.

6.9 The Government of Tamilnadu has instructed STUs that in order to reduce the accidents due to Drivers’ fatigue, Drivers should not be allowed to drive the buses for more than four hours continuously during night time.

7.0 Amenities to the Travelling Public:

7.1 Bus shelters (ordinary and glow sign types) have been constructed through sponsors at various bus stops, in which name of bus stop and routes passing through the stop are displayed for the convenience of the passengers.

7.2 In order to make use of the open space in the platforms and to have better appearance and security at night for the passengers, glow sign advertisement boards have been provided in T. Nagar, Saidapet & Vadapalani bus terminus. The same will be extended to other bus terminals.

7.3 MTC has provided inter-transfer facility for two wheelers by giving sufficient space in bus terminals for parking of two wheelers.

7.4 Motels have been constructed by the State Transport Undertakings at Padalur (Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd., Tiruchirapalli), Mamandur (Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Ltd., Villupuram), Tindivanam, Madurai, Kottampatti and Thozhudur (State Express Transport Corporation) for the benefit of the travelling public.