Once a familiar sight weaving through the streets of Chennai, the city’s iconic double-decker buses are set to return, this time in a sleek, all-electric form, as per reports. Expected to hit the roads by the end of the year, these buses aim to serve not just daily commuters, but also boost the city’s tourism charm.

The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), the lifeline of Chennai’s public transport, is stepping into a new role, championing heritage and leisure tourism. Under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), 20 electric double-decker buses have been sanctioned for the city at an investment of ₹10 crore.

During weekdays, the buses will ply high-demand routes, helping ease peak-hour congestion. Come weekends, they’ll switch gears to offer scenic heritage rides along iconic stretches like Anna Salai, Kamarajar Salai, and the East Coast Road to Mahabalipuram. Plans include having trained guides on board to narrate stories of the city’s rich past.

“These buses will be operated under a gross cost contract model, where the state sets routes and fares, while private operators run the service,” said T Prabhushankar, MTC’s Managing Director. “We hope to roll them out by year-end.”

First seen in the 1970s and phased out in 2008, Chennai’s double-deckers hold a special place in the hearts of many. Their return isn’t just nostalgic, it’s timely. With a seating capacity of nearly 90, these green giants are energy-efficient and ideal for Chennai’s busy corridors.

As Sriharan Balan of the SICCI Tourism Committee put it, “It’s a big bus idea for a big city.” If all goes to plan, Chennai could soon have its own version of the London red bus, one that’s cleaner, greener, and proudly local.