Chennai's Public Transportation

Most of Chennai's intra-city transport requirements are met by an extensive public transport system. The bus service, which is run by the government-owned Metropolitan Transport Corporation covers the city and its suburbs extensively.Bus services are generally considered efficient, but buses on some routes can get very crowded at times. The bus service, which plies about 2773 buses on 375 routes, moves an estimated 4.2 million passengers each day.

In addition to the bus service, private metered call taxis, fixed rate tourist taxis and metered autos are extensively used. In the case of autos though, drivers often demand flat rates especially for short distances(say 1-2 km). Vans which are run like bus services and popularly called "Maxi Cabs" also ply on many routes in the city. The suburban areas of the city are also served by private mini bus company services as well as government bus transport corporations of neighboring districts.

Despite a sharp increase in the number of four wheelers in the city many private vehicles are motorcycles, mopeds or scooters, all of which are preferred to cars for their lower prices,fuel efficiency, maneuverability, and ease of parking.