All Omni Bus Owners Association, representing private long-distance bus operators, has urged the Tamil Nadu government to resume government bus services to the southern districts from the Koyambedu Bus Terminus. The current arrangement at the Kilambakkam Bus Terminus is causing hardship to passengers, the association said.
In a representation submitted to the new government, the association’s president A Anbalagan said the Kilambakkam terminus, established with the objective of decongesting Chennai city and reducing pollution, has not evolved into a fully convenient transit hub for passengers travelling from Central and North Chennai to the southern districts.
Passengers are now compelled to depend on multiple modes of transport, including private vehicles and metropolitan buses, to reach Kilambakkam, leading to longer travel times, increased costs and additional traffic congestion within the city, he told businessline. According to the association, many passengers spend more than two hours reaching the terminus before commencing their onward journey.
Anbalagan pointed out that inadequate rail connectivity to Kilambakkam has further increased dependence on private vehicles and two-wheelers, which runs contrary to the government’s stated objective of promoting public transport and electric mobility.
The association also raised concerns over passenger safety, particularly for women, students and solo travellers during late-night hours, since the terminus is located outside city limits. Accessibility challenges during heavy rain and flooding were also highlighted.
Questioning the rationale behind shifting long-distance bus operations from Koyambedu, the association said comprehensive studies such as traffic impact assessments, passenger surveys and economic impact analyses should have been undertaken before implementing the move.
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Restoring bus services from Koyambedu alongside Kilambakkam operations would significantly benefit lakhs of passengers travelling daily to southern Tamil Nadu, Anbalagan said.
Published on May 21, 2026