On June 10, Nethrodaya (a social service institution, approved by the Rehabilitation Council of India) requested the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) to allow visually impaired persons to travel for free in all MTC buses without any conditions.
They pointed out that despite the Chief Minister’s initiative, the same was not implemented, and the visually impaired were asked to obtain travel passes. They requested the CM to ensure unconditional free travel in city buses up to 100 km for the visually impaired, as clearly stated in the Policy Note 2025-2026 of the Welfare of Differently Abled Persons Department.
In response, MTC has issued the following statement:
- For visually impaired persons with 70%-100% vision impairment residing in Chennai: Provisions have been made for them to apply online via the e-seva centre website and obtain a free bus travel pass online, allowing them to travel on all routes of MTC Deluxe and Express buses (excluding air-conditioned buses).
- For visually impaired persons with 40%-69% vision impairment residing in Chennai: It is informed that provisions have been made for them to apply online via the e-seva centre website for specific routes and obtain a free bus travel pass online, allowing them to travel on MTC Deluxe and Express buses (excluding air-conditioned buses).
