State of SETC

SETC is the sole transport corporation which provides transport service within and neighbouring TN state. Even though off late there has been an emergence of other govt transport corporations, it has a long way to go. SETC which connects Chennai with other cities in the state and neighbouring state has not been able to deliver the quality of service what people. It’s no wonder that it has been running in huge losses. Among the four southern states SETC fairs extremely poor in all parameters. The emergence of new Govt. Transport corporations has posed challenge to might of SETC which once was the only transport corporation in TN to provide the push back seating in buses. Though during weekends and festival seasons it has been able to run without vacancy, but it has to be noted that people are reluctant to board SETC because of the poor quality seating and maintenance.
I remember my college days where I used to travel in SETC. I knew the seating is bad and sometimes ppl might feel to puke at condition of the buses. An alternative to SETC is KPN and other private operators. The private operators have the pricing either double or triple the actual rate of the service. So I generally don’t go for it. Even though the SETC is able to keep the pricing low, it has never taken steps to maintain the quality of seating and other passenger amenities. When I was in my final year, I was felt happy that a new variety of Ultra deluxe buses were introduced. These new semi sleepers were first of its kind in TN buses. The pricing was also fair when compared to private operators. SETC in next two years replaced almost all old buses with this new variety of buses. It’s a welcome move which provided a much better upgraded passenger service. I had thought the era of abusing SETC is over n thought there is really some development that is happening with SETC. Then I moved to Bangalore, where I made use of SETC buses to travel from Bangalore to pondy. Then month after month I noticed the condition of these buses. There happens to be the same old kind of arrangement that has been going on with SETC. The seat cover looked like it had never been washed since the day the bus came newly into the fleet of SETC. I don’t understand, why they don’t maintain these good buses. If it’s just a matter of cost they could charge an extra of 10 or 20 rupees from each passenger to maintain them. Generally there is only one service for these buses. Usually there used to be only two services per day. It has got an ample amount of time to clean these buses and wash them. If they are able to do it at least once or twice in week it would be good, but it doesn’t like they washing or cleaning the buses at all. The state of these buses has become really pathetic. Now that they have destroyed the quality of these Ultra deluxe buses they have moved to do the same with the new variety of AC buses. I hear from ppl that these buses stink. How long will they carry on this insensitive attitude towards the maintenance of buses. If the govt is not able to maintain these buses wats the need to introduce new type of services and ruining their brand name.
I definitely have to compare this service with the other neighbouring states though it may not be fair to compare with the Private operators. Let’s take KSRTC; I guess there is no one to beat them in bus fleet and services they provide in Karnataka. Look at whole variety of buses they have in their fleet. Airavat, the best among them. Costly, but really good service. Then u can say mayuri which again is an AC bus service which is relatively cheaper and good. Then u have meghadoot, rajahamsa, ordinary push back seating and so on. When it comes to long distance buses there is nothing among the southern states to beat their fleet of buses. Rajahamsa can be compared with our SETC ultra deluxe buses. Our SETC ultra deluxe buses are no match to rajahamsa. I remember once travelling from Trichy to Bangalore through rajahamsa. Initially we booked SETC to travel from Trichy to Bangalore, but we cancelled it during the last minute after coming to know there is a KSRTC service. I still remember the guy in SETC counter who pleaded with us not to cancel the tickets. He knew we were about to board in KSRTC. SETC was pathetic then (even now).
APSRTC is also has whole variety of fleet of buses in AP. Though it may not match with KSRTC, it definitely fares much better than SETC. I don’t understand wats the problem with SETC. What prevents them from providing a hassle free journey to passengers? SETC has to go a long way in understanding and restructuring their administration. They need to invest some money in maintaining the quality of the buses in their fleet. The driver and conductor in the buses need to be thought how to behave with passengers. I know most them are rude with passengers. They don’t understand that they are dealing with a customer. Ticketing system too has to be changed. They haven’t introduced online ticketing facility to the public. It’s still with SETC counter in bus terminuses. The list goes on; there are a whole lot of things which has to be changed with the functioning of SETC.
KSRTC stands to be best example to all other transport corporations. It’s completely market driven. As a person hailing from TN I’m looking forward for a much better and relatively cheaper service from the govt of TN to provide a joyful journey to passengers like me .