TNSTC driver suspended, conductor fired for not halting bus at stop near Vaniyambadi

The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), Villupuram division, has issued a suspension order to a bus driver and fired a conductor, who was hired on a contract basis, after the crew failed to halt the vehicle at a bus stop in Kothakottai village near Vaniyambadi town in Tirupattur on Tuesday (March 24, 2025), forcing a Class 12 to run behind the bus to board it.

The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), Villupuram division, has issued a suspension order to a bus driver and fired a conductor, who was hired on a contract basis, after the crew failed to halt the vehicle at a bus stop in Kothakottai village near Vaniyambadi town in Tirupattur on Tuesday (March 24, 2025), forcing a Class 12 student to run behind the bus to board it. A video of the incident went viral on social media, sparking public outrage.

TNSTC officials said the bus driver S. Muniraj has been suspended, while conductor K. Ashok Kumar was relieved of his duties. Also, a departmental inquiry has been initiated against the driver over the incident.

The initial inquiry revealed that Muniraj was driving the bus (Route No: 1C; Tirupattur-Alangayam) from a bus depot in Ambur with about 20 passengers. After passing through Vaniyambadi town, the bus came to Kothakottai village but it did not stop at the designated bus stop as no commuters were to get down there.

A student, however, was seen running behind the bus to board it; a few moments later, the bus was stopped after commuters alerted the bus crew. The incident, which was captured on video by a few motorists near the bus stop, went viral on social media platforms.

A team of TNSTC officials have inspected the bus stop as part of their inquiry into the incident. A probe is under way.