Chennai: Double-decker buses are set to make a comeback in Chennai after 17 years in a swanky, modern form, as Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) invited bids to procure 20 air-conditioned electric buses, pushing forward its fleet electrification plans. The tender was floated days after a red electric double-decker bus manufactured by Switch Mobility, the electric vehicle arm of Ashok Leyland, was tested on city roads. Videos of the bus quickly went viral, sparking curiosity and nostalgia among residents.Officials said the buses will be operated only on select routes. Adequate vertical clearance and the absence of overhead obstructions such as electric cables, flyovers and signage will determine route feasibility.R Sundarapandian, joint managing director of MTC, said operations were narrowed down to two routes—A18 from Broadway to Tambaram and M-70 from Koyambedu to Broadway—both of which had the service earlier. “The operator will have to conduct a vertical clearance study to ensure there are no obstructions from wires or tree branches,” he said.The city bus operator introduced 120 electric buses as part of its larger plan to electrify its fleet. At present, MTC has a fleet strength of 3,751 with 3,563 scheduled services.Double-decker buses have a long association with the city. Introduced in the 1970s, they were phased out in the 1980s due to operational challenges. A brief comeback in 1997 on the 18A route ended in 2008.
