Chennai’s MTC wins national award for best public transport system, CM Stalin hails achievement

Chennai: Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin on Monday said that the quality and reliability of a city’s public transport system are true reflections of its living standards.

Congratulating the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Ltd. (MTC) for being named the “City with the Best Public Transport System in India”, the chief minister lauded the corporation’s ongoing efforts to enhance commuter convenience and ensure safe, efficient last-mile connectivity.

“Congratulations to @MtcChennai, which has been awarded as the city with the best public transport system in India, and to Transport Minister S S Sivasankar, who is leading the department with dedication,” Stalin said in a post on social media platform X.

He also praised MTC’s continuous improvements-ranging from late-night safe travel services to digital ticketing, low-floor electric buses, and regular operations designed to meet passenger needs.

The Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference 2025, held in Gurugram, Haryana on November 9, conferred the national honour on MTC Chennai. The award was presented by union housing and urban affairs minister Manohar Lal in the presence of union minister of state for housing and urban affairs Tokhan Sahu and received by transport minister SS Sivasankar along with MTC managing director T Prabhushankar.

MTC Chennai, one of the largest state-run bus networks in India, earned this recognition for its innovative initiatives promoting efficiency, inclusiveness, accessibility and environmental sustainability in urban transport.

According to an official release, MTC operates on over 660 routes, covering Chennai and its suburban regions. Flagship schemes such as ‘Vidiyal Payanam’, which offers free bus travel for women, and a dedicated school bus service with on-campus pick-up and drop-off facilities for students, have significantly improved accessibility and safety.

The corporation has also advanced its digital transformation through the use of Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs) that support payments via National Common Mobility Card, UPI, and debit/credit cards. Additionally, the ‘Chennai One’ mobile app integrates multiple modes of transport—MTC buses, Chennai Metro Rail, and Suburban Rail—allowing passengers to plan multimodal journeys and use a single unified ticket.

(with inputs from agencies)