Tamil Nadu buses to have GPS

The Tamil Nadu State Express Transport Corporation (SETC), which operates express and super fast bus services within the state and to destinations in the neighboring states, will soon introduce global positioning system (GPS) on its buses.

Addressing a seminar on 'effective usage of fuel', organised by the Indian Oil Corporation here, P Kannan, managing director, SETC, said that initially the system would be deployed on select buses on the Chennai-Madurai route on a trial basis to monitor the movement of the fleet.

Though the corporation had planned the scheme a few years ago, its implementation was delayed due to technical snags. The deployment of GPS would be extended to other routes also based on its success, Kannan added.

Explaining the various steps taken by the SETC for conserving oil, he said the corporation was committed to achieving the target of 5.5 kmpl for all its buses.

With the implementation of the kilometre/litre (kmpl) scheme, the corporation managed to conserve 33 lakh litres of diesel worth Rs 11 crore during the year 2005-06. Besides, its net collection registered an increase of Rs 3.23 crore, he added. Its registered 52 per cent increase in revenues.

The Madurai depot of the corporation bagged the award for maximum fuel efficiency (5.14kmpl) in the state during 2005-06, followed by Trichy depot with 5.10kmpl.