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Route 101 at a Glance

Detail	Information
Route Number	101 (MTC Chennai)
From	Thiruvottiyur (Ajax Bus Depot)
To	Poonamallee Terminus
Route Corridor	Via Tondiarpet, Royapuram, Chennai Beach, Parrys Corner, High Court, Central, Egmore, Arumbakkam, Maduravoyal, Vanagaram
Distance	34.1 kilometres (one of the longer cross-city routes in Chennai)
Total Stops	53 stops
Approx Journey Time	110 to 120 minutes (end to end)
Daily Trips (one-way)	8 trips per day from each end
First Bus from Thiruvottiyur	5:10 AM
Last Bus from Thiruvottiyur	5:53 PM
First Bus from Poonamallee	7:00 AM
Last Bus from Poonamallee	7:58 PM
Bus Frequency	Approximately every 12 minutes during operating hours; 45 buses in total fleet on this route
Operating Days	All 7 days including Sundays and public holidays
Bus Type	Ordinary and Express service
AC Bus Available?	No. Route 101 does not operate any AC bus variant
Starting Fare	Rs 8 (Express minimum)
Number of Fare Stages	12
Night Service	Route 101NS operates a night service variant on the same corridor with 63 stops and 5 trips per day from each end
Why This Route Matters	One of the very few direct bus routes connecting Thiruvottiyur (North Chennai industrial area) to Poonamallee (West Chennai) via the city centre

Route 101 is a cross-city workhorse, connecting Chennai’s industrial northeast at Thiruvottiyur to the western suburb of Poonamallee in a single journey. Unusually for a long-distance city route, it passes through the heart of the city, touching Chennai Beach, Parrys Corner, the High Court, Chennai Central station, and Egmore before heading west through Arumbakkam and Maduravoyal. This makes it equally useful for commuters from both ends of the city who need access to the commercial centre.

Operating Schedule and Timings

Complete Timetable from Thiruvottiyur to Poonamallee

Trip Number	Departure from Thiruvottiyur	Approx Arrival at Poonamallee
1 (First Bus)	5:10 AM	7:04 AM
2	5:40 AM	7:34 AM
3	9:00 AM	10:54 AM
4	9:38 AM	11:32 AM
5	1:04 PM	3:00 PM
6	1:43 PM	3:37 PM
7	5:14 PM	7:08 PM
8 (Last Bus)	5:53 PM	7:47 PM

Complete Timetable from Poonamallee to Thiruvottiyur

Trip Number	Departure from Poonamallee	Approx Arrival at Thiruvottiyur
1 (First Bus)	7:00 AM	8:54 AM
2	7:38 AM	9:32 AM
3	11:00 AM	12:54 PM
4	11:38 AM	1:32 PM
5	3:01 PM	4:55 PM
6	3:40 PM	5:34 PM
7	7:00 PM	8:54 PM
8 (Last Bus)	7:58 PM	9:52 PM

Important scheduling note: Route 101 runs only 8 trips per day from each end, which is significantly fewer than most MTC routes of similar importance. Buses are not evenly spaced throughout the day. There are noticeable gaps, particularly between early morning and mid-morning trips, and between midday and evening trips. Plan your journey carefully using the timetable above.

Weekly Schedule

Day	First Bus (Thiruvottiyur)	Last Bus (Thiruvottiyur)	First Bus (Poonamallee)	Last Bus (Poonamallee)
Monday	5:10 AM	5:53 PM	7:00 AM	7:58 PM
Tuesday	5:10 AM	5:53 PM	7:00 AM	7:58 PM
Wednesday	5:10 AM	5:53 PM	7:00 AM	7:58 PM
Thursday	5:10 AM	5:53 PM	7:00 AM	7:58 PM
Friday	5:10 AM	5:53 PM	7:00 AM	7:58 PM
Saturday	5:10 AM	5:53 PM	7:00 AM	7:58 PM
Sunday	5:45 AM	10:00 PM	5:00 AM	10:00 PM

Journey Time Between Major Stops

From	To	Approx Time
Thiruvottiyur	Toll Gate Bus Depot (Tondiarpet)	10 to 15 minutes
Thiruvottiyur	Royapuram	20 to 25 minutes
Thiruvottiyur	Chennai Beach	28 to 35 minutes
Thiruvottiyur	Parrys Corner	30 to 38 minutes
Thiruvottiyur	Chennai Central	38 to 48 minutes
Thiruvottiyur	Arumbakkam	55 to 70 minutes
Thiruvottiyur	Maduravoyal	75 to 90 minutes
Thiruvottiyur	Poonamallee	110 to 120 minutes
Poonamallee	Maduravoyal	18 to 25 minutes
Poonamallee	Arumbakkam	35 to 45 minutes
Poonamallee	Parrys Corner	75 to 90 minutes
Poonamallee	Thiruvottiyur	110 to 120 minutes

Speed advisory: The average peak-time speed on Route 101 is approximately 18 km per hour due to heavy traffic at key pinch points including Royapuram, Parrys Corner, Egmore, and Aminjikarai. Add at least 20 to 30 minutes to journey time estimates during morning peak hours (8 AM to 10 AM) and evening peak hours (5 PM to 8 PM).

All 53 Stops on Route 101 with Landmarks and Local Context

Route 101 travels across three distinct zones of Chennai: the industrial north (Thiruvottiyur to Tondiarpet), the historic city centre (Royapuram to Egmore), and the western residential and suburban belt (Arumbakkam to Poonamallee). Each zone has its own character, and the route gives passengers a vivid cross-section of Chennai’s geography.

Zone 1: North Chennai Industrial Belt (Stops 1 to 9)

This section of the route covers Chennai’s industrial northeast, from the Thiruvottiyur harbour area down through Tondiarpet to the Toll Gate depot.

Stop 1: Thiruvottiyur (Terminus / Ajax Bus Depot)

Category	Details
What it is	Northern terminus at the Ajax Bus Depot in Thiruvottiyur
About Thiruvottiyur	A major industrial and residential suburb in North Chennai, situated on the Coromandel Coast near the Ennore Port area. One of Chennai’s oldest settlements with a significant Tamil history
Key landmarks	Ajax Bus Depot (MTC), Thiruvottiyur Railway Station (suburban rail), Thiruvottiyur Thyagaraja Swamy Temple (one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams, significant Shaivite shrine), Ennore Port (nearby)
Railway connection	Thiruvottiyur Railway Station on the Chennai Beach to Arakkonam line
Industrial note	Thiruvottiyur is home to major industrial plants including CPCL (Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited), Manali Petrochemicals, and a concentration of manufacturing units
Tip	Board at this terminus for best chance of a seat for the long journey south

Stop 2: Vellayan Chettiyar School

Category	Details
What it is	School landmark stop within Thiruvottiyur town
Key landmarks	Vellayan Chettiyar School, local residential areas of Thiruvottiyur

Stop 3: Thiruvottiyur Market

Category	Details
What it is	Main market area of Thiruvottiyur town
Key landmarks	Thiruvottiyur Market (local fish and vegetable market), shops and commercial establishments
Note	This stretch of Thiruvottiyur is busy early morning with market activity and vendors

Stop 4: Theradi

Category	Details
What it is	Residential locality within Thiruvottiyur approaching Tondiarpet
Key landmarks	Local residential areas, approaching the Ennore Expressway access

Stop 5: Raja Kadai

Category	Details
What it is	Locality named after a well-known local shop or trader (Raja Kadai means Raja Shop)
Key landmarks	Local commercial establishments, transitional stop between Thiruvottiyur and Tondiarpet

Stop 6: Ellaiamman Kovil

Category	Details
What it is	Temple landmark stop named after a local Ellaiamman temple
Key landmarks	Ellaiamman Temple, North Chennai residential area
Note	Ellaiamman (boundary goddess) temples are common neighbourhood temples across Chennai. This one serves as an important local landmark in this area

Stop 7: Kaladi Pet

Category	Details
What it is	Residential area stop approaching Tondiarpet
Key landmarks	Kalaipet (Kaladi Pet) residential colony, North Chennai lanes

Stop 8: Thangal

Category	Details
What it is	Locality stop on the Thiruvottiyur to Tondiarpet corridor
Key landmarks	Thangal area residential blocks, approaching Tondiarpet

Stop 9: Toll Gate Bus Depot

Category	Details
What it is	Major interchange stop at Tondiarpet Toll Gate where MTC has a depot
Key landmarks	Toll Gate Bus Depot (Tondiarpet), Tondiarpet police station, Tondiarpet market
Connections	Multiple MTC bus routes originate from and pass through the Toll Gate depot area, including buses to Broadway, Perambur, and North Chennai localities
Note	The Toll Gate at Tondiarpet was historically the northern entry checkpoint into Madras city. The area retains the name though the physical toll gate is long gone

Zone 2: City Centre Traverse (Stops 10 to 27)

This is the most historically and commercially significant section of Route 101, passing through Chennai’s greatest landmarks. Passengers travelling this stretch get an unparalleled view of the city’s heritage core.

Stop 10: Anna Nagar (Tondiarpet area)

Category	Details
What it is	Residential area within the Tondiarpet locality (note: different from the larger Anna Nagar in West Chennai)
Key landmarks	Anna Nagar residential colony in Tondiarpet, local schools and shops
Note	This stop refers to a smaller Anna Nagar locality within Tondiarpet, not the large Anna Nagar township in North West Chennai

Stop 11: Swallows

Category	Details
What it is	Locality stop in the Tondiarpet area named after a local institution or landmark
Key landmarks	Swallows area, approaching Nagara Thottam in Tondiarpet

Stop 12: N4 Police Station

Category	Details
What it is	Police station landmark stop in Tondiarpet
Key landmarks	N4 Police Station (Tondiarpet Police Station), Tondiarpet residential area
Note	Chennai’s police stations use an alphanumeric system for North, South, East, West zones. N4 designates the 4th precinct in North Chennai

Stop 13: Nagara Thottam

Category	Details
What it is	Residential area in Tondiarpet approaching Kalmandapam
Key landmarks	Nagara Thottam (City Garden) area, transitional zone between Tondiarpet and Royapuram

Stop 14: Kalaimagal Vidyalaya

Category	Details
What it is	School landmark stop approaching Royapuram
Key landmarks	Kalaimagal Vidyalaya School, approaching Kalmandapam junction

Stop 15: Kalmandapam

Category	Details
What it is	Important junction stop connecting Tondiarpet to Royapuram
Key landmarks	Kalmandapam junction, access to Washermanpet and Perambur Road, local bus interchange
Connections	Access to Washermanpet area, George Town roads, multiple local buses

Stop 16: Royapuram

Category	Details
What it is	Historic fishing and residential area, one of Chennai’s oldest inhabited zones
About Royapuram	Royapuram (Raja Puram, meaning King’s Town) is one of Chennai’s oldest areas. The Royapuram Railway Station was India’s first railway station, opened in 1856
Key landmarks	Royapuram Railway Station (India’s first railway terminus), St Mary’s Church Royapuram (historic 1878 church), Royapuram Fishing Harbour (active fishing community), Royapuram Police Station
Historical significance	Royapuram Station on Park Town is where India’s first railway journey departed from on June 1, 1853, running to Arcot (Arkonam). The Royapuram terminus itself dates to 1856. A visit to the restored station building is a piece of living railway history
Railway connection	Royapuram Railway Station on the suburban rail network

Stop 17: Clive Battery

Category	Details
What it is	Colonial-era landmark stop approaching Chennai Beach
About Clive Battery	Named after the historic battery (fortification) built by the British East India Company near the waterfront. Robert Clive’s presence in this area during the 18th century gave the locality its name
Key landmarks	Historic waterfront area, Chennai Port road, approaching Chennai Beach
Historical note	This stretch between Royapuram and Chennai Beach was the heart of colonial-era maritime Madras, with warehouses, fortifications, and trading posts lining the waterfront

Stop 18: Chennai Beach

Category	Details
What it is	Major railway terminus and seafront area, one of Chennai’s most significant transport hubs
Key landmarks	Chennai Beach Railway Station (southern terminus of the suburban railway network), Marina Beach approach, Annai Indira Gandhi Road (beach road), MRTS Beach Station
Railway connection	Chennai Beach is the terminal station for both the Chennai Suburban Railway network and the MRTS. From here, suburban trains run to Tambaram, Chengalpet, and Arakkonam
Marina Beach access	The northern end of Marina Beach is a short walk from this stop, with the beach road running parallel
Connections	Chennai Beach Railway Station (suburban rail), MRTS Beach Station, buses to Fort, Triplicane, Adyar

Stop 19: Parrys Corner

Category	Details
What it is	Chennai’s most important commercial junction, historically the city’s financial heart
About Parrys Corner	Named after the Parry and Company trading house, Parrys Corner has been Chennai’s commercial hub since the 18th century. It is where many major MTC bus routes originate and terminate
Key landmarks	Parry’s Corner junction, Dare House (Parry’s headquarters), NSB Building, High Court approaching, George Town wholesale market area, Chennai Port Trust
MTC terminus	Parrys Corner (also called Broadway) is MTC’s largest bus terminus in Chennai, from where buses depart to virtually every part of the city
Connections	Broadway MTC terminus, Chennai Beach Railway (short walk), multiple city bus routes, access to George Town wholesale markets

Stop 20: High Court

Category	Details
What it is	Iconic Indo-Saracenic heritage building and active High Court of Judicature at Madras
About the High Court	The Madras High Court building, built in 1892, is one of India’s finest examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture and the second largest court building in the world after the UK’s Royal Courts of Justice
Key landmarks	Madras High Court (UNESCO-recognized heritage building), Fort St George (300 metres away), Rajaji Hall
Historical note	The High Court faces the Bay of Bengal. The iconic red and white building with its lighthouse tower is a defining image of Chennai’s skyline from the sea

Stop 21: Chennai Fort Railway Station

Category	Details
What it is	Suburban railway station adjacent to Fort St George
Key landmarks	Fort Railway Station, Fort St George (India’s first English fortress, built 1644), State Legislature Building (inside Fort), St Mary’s Church Fort (India’s oldest Anglican church, 1680)
Railway connection	Fort Railway Station on Chennai suburban network
Heritage note	Fort St George is a must-visit heritage site. The fort museum contains artifacts from the colonial era including Clive’s sword and the original charter granted by the East India Company

Stop 22: Chennai Central

Category	Details
What it is	Chennai’s premier intercity railway terminus and one of India’s busiest stations
About Chennai Central	MGR Chennai Central (named after actor-politician M G Ramachandran) is the main intercity railway station for Chennai, connecting to all major Indian cities. The station building (1873) is another masterpiece of Indo-Saracenic architecture
Key landmarks	MGR Chennai Central Railway Station, Chennai Metro Phase 1 Central Station (underground), Chennai Suburban Rail network, Post Office, Higginbotham’s bookstore (India’s oldest)
Railway connections	Intercity trains to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and all major cities; Metro Phase 1 Line 1 (Blue Line) Chennai Central Station; Suburban rail network
Tip	If you are catching a train from Central, allow extra time as traffic around Chennai Central is consistently congested, especially in the evening

Stop 23: Park Station

Category	Details
What it is	Suburban railway station at the junction of Park Town, adjacent to Egmore
Key landmarks	Park Town Railway Station, Government Estate, Rajaji Salai, Madras General Hospital (approaching)
Railway connection	Park Town Station on the Chennai suburban rail network

Stop 24: Hotel Everest

Category	Details
What it is	Hotel landmark stop in the Egmore area
Key landmarks	Hotel Everest, Egmore commercial area, approaching Egmore Railway Station

Stop 25: Thinathanthi

Category	Details
What it is	Media landmark stop named after the Tamil daily newspaper Dina Thanthi
Key landmarks	Dina Thanthi newspaper offices (one of Tamil Nadu’s largest circulation dailies), Egmore area commercial zone

Stop 26: Dasaprakash

Category	Details
What it is	Hotel and commercial landmark stop in Egmore
Key landmarks	Hotel Dasaprakash (landmark Egmore hotel), Egmore Museum approaching, Pantheon Road
Cultural note	Egmore has a concentration of budget hotels serving railway passengers from Chennai Egmore Station. The area is also home to the Government Museum complex, one of India’s oldest public museums

Stop 27: KMC Hospital

Category	Details
What it is	Hospital landmark stop in the Egmore to Kilpauk transition zone
Key landmarks	Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) Hospital, one of Chennai’s prominent government teaching hospitals
Healthcare note	KMC Hospital is a major public hospital providing tertiary care. The medical college attached to it is one of Tamil Nadu’s reputed government medical institutions

Zone 3: Mid-City Transition (Stops 28 to 38)

From Taylors Road onward, the route transitions from the historic city core into the western mid-city areas, passing through Aminjikarai, Arumbakkam, and Koyambedu-adjacent localities.

Stop 28: Taylors Road

Category	Details
What it is	Important road junction in Kilpauk connecting to multiple residential and commercial areas
Key landmarks	Taylors Road junction, Kilpauk residential area, approaching Aminjikarai
Commuter note	Several passengers on Route 101 have noted that the bus does not always stop at Taylors Road consistently. If Taylors Road is your destination, alert the conductor early

Stop 29: Aminjikarai Toll Gate

Category	Details
What it is	Major junction at Aminjikarai approaching the Ampa Skywalk and Anna Nagar area
Key landmarks	Aminjikarai junction, approaching Ampa Skywalk Mall, Aminjikarai market, Sterling Road area
Connections	Access to Sterling Road, Chetpet, Nungambakkam from this junction via connecting buses or autos

Stop 30: Arun Hotel and Ampa Skywalk

Category	Details
What it is	Shopping mall landmark stop at the Anna Nagar and Aminjikarai border
Key landmarks	Ampa Skywalk Mall (multi-level shopping centre), Arun Hotel (commercial area), Arch junction approaching
Shopping	Ampa Skywalk is one of Chennai’s major malls, popular for shopping, dining, and multiplexes serving the Anna Nagar and Kilpauk areas

Stop 31: NSK Nagar and Arumbakkam

Category	Details
What it is	Key residential area junction between Anna Nagar and Arumbakkam
Key landmarks	NSK Nagar (N S Krishnan Nagar), Arumbakkam market approaching, access to Anna Nagar East

Stop 32: DG Vaishnava College

Category	Details
What it is	College landmark stop in Arumbakkam
Key landmarks	DG Vaishnava College (arts and science college), Arumbakkam residential area

Stops 33 and 34: Arumbakkam Post Office and Arumbakkam

Category	Details
What it is	Main Arumbakkam area stops, a significant residential locality
Key landmarks	Arumbakkam Post Office, Arumbakkam main junction, local market
About Arumbakkam	Arumbakkam is a densely populated residential locality with a busy market, popular with middle-income families. It connects to Anna Nagar, Koyambedu, and Vadapalani

Stop 35: Rohini Theatre

Category	Details
What it is	Cinema landmark stop in Arumbakkam
Key landmarks	Rohini Theatre, local commercial area of Arumbakkam

Stop 36: Mettukulam

Category	Details
What it is	Residential area between Arumbakkam and Nerkundram
Key landmarks	Mettukulam area, transitional residential zone approaching Nerkundram

Stop 37: Nerkundram

Category	Details
What it is	Residential and commercial locality approaching Maduravoyal
Key landmarks	Nerkundram area, approaching the Maduravoyal bypass junction
Note	Nerkundram sits at the junction where Chennai’s urban fabric begins transitioning toward the Maduravoyal semi-rural stretch

Stop 38: Vengaya Mandi

Category	Details
What it is	Wholesale vegetable market area on the approach to Maduravoyal
About Vengaya Mandi	Vengaya Mandi means Onion Market in Tamil. This area is known for its wholesale vegetable trade, particularly onions. Traders from across South Chennai source produce here
Key landmarks	Wholesale vegetable market, local traders, approaching Maduravoyal stretch

Zone 4: Maduravoyal and Western Approach (Stops 39 to 53)

The final zone of Route 101 covers the Maduravoyal stretch and the western suburbs approaching Poonamallee. This section has a more peri-urban character compared to the city core.

Stops 39 to 42: Maduravoyal Area

Category	Details
Stops covered	Maduravoyal Ration Shop, Maduravoyal Post Office, Maduravoyal Market, Maduravoyal Arikari
What Maduravoyal is	A large peri-urban locality at the junction of the Chennai Bypass Road and the Inner Ring Road, historically a separate village now absorbed into Chennai’s urban expansion
Key landmarks	Maduravoyal Market, local ration shops, approaching the Chennai Bypass Road (NH 4 / NH 48 bypass junction area)
Infrastructure note	The Chennai Bypass Road (Ennore Expressway extension) passes through Maduravoyal, making it an important road junction for freight and long-distance traffic
Connectivity	Maduravoyal gives access to Pattabiram, Thiruninravur, and the northern approach to Porur and NH 48

Stop 43: Jesus Hall

Category	Details
What it is	Christian institution landmark stop in the Maduravoyal area
Key landmarks	Jesus Hall (Christian institution or church), local residential areas

Stop 44: Vanagaram

Category	Details
What it is	Growing suburban locality between Maduravoyal and Poonamallee
About Vanagaram	Vanagaram has seen rapid residential development in recent years due to its connectivity to Poonamallee, Porur, and the Outer Ring Road. Affordable to mid-range apartments are numerous here
Key landmarks	Vanagaram junction, access to Moulivakkam, approaching Velappanchavadi
Real estate note	Vanagaram is one of West Chennai’s emerging real estate markets with good Outer Ring Road connectivity

Stop 45: Kumar Theatre

Category	Details
What it is	Cinema landmark stop between Vanagaram and Velappanchavadi
Key landmarks	Kumar Theatre (local cinema), Vanagaram commercial strip

Stop 46: Maduravoyal Earikarai

Category	Details
What it is	Lake-side locality stop (Earikarai means lakeside in Tamil)
Key landmarks	Maduravoyal Lake (Eari) area, residential colonies on the lake periphery
Ecological note	Maduravoyal has a water body that, like many Chennai lakes, has faced encroachment pressures. Restoration efforts have been undertaken periodically by the Greater Chennai Corporation

Stop 47: Velappanchavadi

Category	Details
What it is	Large residential suburb on the Poonamallee approach road
About Velappanchavadi	Velappanchavadi is a major residential area with strong connectivity to both Poonamallee and the Outer Ring Road. Several apartment complexes have come up here in the past decade
Key landmarks	Velappanchavadi local market, residential apartment complexes, approaching ACS Medical College

Stop 48: ACS Medical College

Category	Details
What it is	Medical college landmark stop on the Poonamallee approach
Key landmarks	ACS Medical College and Hospital, medical students residential area, Karayanchavadi approaching
Healthcare note	ACS (Aarupadai Veedu Medical College) is a private medical college offering MBBS and postgraduate medical programmes

Stop 49: Saveetha Hospital

Category	Details
What it is	Hospital landmark stop on the Poonamallee road
Key landmarks	Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha University campus
Healthcare and education	Saveetha is a private university known for its dental and medical colleges. The hospital serves patients from across the Poonamallee belt

Stop 50: Karayanchavadi

Category	Details
What it is	Residential locality between Velappanchavadi and Poonamallee
Key landmarks	Karayanchavadi village area, residential blocks, approaching Poonamallee

Stop 51: Kallarai

Category	Details
What it is	Locality stop on the final approach to Poonamallee
Key landmarks	Kallarai area, Poonamallee High Road approach

Stop 52: Poonamallee Government Hospital

Category	Details
What it is	Government hospital landmark stop at the entrance to Poonamallee town
Key landmarks	Poonamallee Government Hospital (Taluk Hospital), Poonamallee town centre approaching
Healthcare note	The Poonamallee Government Hospital serves the entire Poonamallee taluk and surrounding areas. It is a primary referral hospital for the region

Stop 53: Poonamallee (Terminus)

Category	Details
What it is	Western terminus of Route 101, a major bus interchange town in West Chennai
About Poonamallee	Poonamallee is one of the oldest towns in the Chennai region, historically a military cantonment area. Today it is a busy suburban town on the Chennai to Bangalore (NH 48) highway
Key landmarks	Poonamallee Bus Terminus, Poonamallee market, Poonamallee Fort (colonial-era ruins), proximity to Sriperumbudur (birthplace of Sri Ramanujacharya), access to the Outer Ring Road
Highway access	Poonamallee sits on NH 48 (Chennai to Bengaluru highway), making it a key stopover for highway traffic
Connections	Buses to Koyambedu, Sriperumbudur, Porur, Guindy, Thirumangalam, Avadi from Poonamallee Terminus; access to Chennai Outer Ring Road
Tip	Board at Poonamallee terminus for best seat availability. This is particularly important given the long 110-minute journey to Thiruvottiyur

Route 101 Variants

Route	From	To	Stops	Key Difference
101 (Main)	Thiruvottiyur Ajax Depot	Poonamallee Terminus	53 stops	Full route as described in this guide
101NS (Night Service)	Poonamallee Terminus	Thiruvottiyur Ajax Depot	63 stops	Night service variant with more stops; 5 trips per day. First bus from Poonamallee at 1:50 AM, last at 10:00 PM. First bus from Thiruvottiyur at 3:40 AM, last at 11:50 PM
101 (Broadway variant)	Poonamallee Terminus	Broadway	50 stops, ~59 minutes	Terminates at Broadway instead of continuing to Thiruvottiyur. Useful for passengers heading to Parrys and Broadway commercial area

Bus Fare Chart for Route 101

Route 101 operates Ordinary and Express services. The fare includes a cess of Rs 1. Starting fare is Rs 8 for Express service.

Stage	Ordinary (Rs)	Express (Rs)	Deluxe (Rs)	Night Service (Rs)
1	6	8	12	10
2	7	10	14	12
3	8	11	16	14
4	9	13	18	16
5	10	14	20	18
6	11	16	22	20
7	12	17	24	22
8	13	19	26	24
9	14	20	28	26
10	15	22	30	28
11 to 12 (Full route)	16	23	32	30

Practical fare guide for Route 101:

Thiruvottiyur to Royapuram (short hop): Rs 6 to Rs 8
Thiruvottiyur to Chennai Central (mid journey): Rs 10 to Rs 14
Thiruvottiyur to Arumbakkam: Rs 13 to Rs 17
Thiruvottiyur to Poonamallee (full route, 34.1 km): Rs 16 to Rs 23
Monthly passes: Available at Thiruvottiyur and Poonamallee depots. The MTC unlimited monthly pass (Rs 2,000) launched in March 2025 covers Route 101

Interchange and Connectivity Guide

Stop	Connect To	Mode	Destination
Thiruvottiyur	Thiruvottiyur Railway Station	Southern Railway	Chennai Beach, Arakkonam, Ennore
Toll Gate (Tondiarpet)	Multiple MTC routes	MTC buses	Perambur, Vyasarpadi, Broadway
Royapuram	Royapuram Railway Station	Southern Railway	Chennai Beach, Perambur direction
Chennai Beach	Chennai Beach Railway Station	Southern Railway	Tambaram, Chengalpet, Arakkonam
Chennai Beach	MRTS Beach Station	MRTS Rail	Velachery via Fort, Park Town, Saidapet
Parrys Corner	Broadway Bus Terminus	MTC buses	All parts of Chennai
High Court	Walking distance to Fort	On foot	Fort St George, State Legislature
Chennai Central	MGR Chennai Central	Intercity Rail	Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, all major cities
Chennai Central	Chennai Metro	Metro Rail	Koyambedu, Airport (Blue Line)
Park Town	Park Town Railway Station	Southern Railway	Suburban trains
Aminjikarai	Autos and buses	Local transport	Chetpet, Nungambakkam, Kilpauk
Ampa Skywalk	Connecting MTC routes	MTC buses	Anna Nagar, Koyambedu, Vadapalani
Arumbakkam	Connecting MTC routes	MTC buses	Anna Nagar East, Koyambedu Market
Vanagaram	Autos	Local transport	Outer Ring Road, Porur, Moulivakkam
Poonamallee	Poonamallee Terminus	MTC buses	Koyambedu, Guindy, Porur, Sriperumbudur, Avadi

Heritage and Landmark Highlights on Route 101

Route 101 is one of Chennai’s most heritage-rich bus routes. The city centre section between Royapuram and Egmore passes through a concentration of historically significant buildings and sites unmatched by almost any other route in the MTC network.

Landmark	Near Stop	Significance
Thiruvottiyur Thyagaraja Temple	Thiruvottiyur	Ancient Shaivite temple, one of the Paadal Petra Sthalams sung by Tamil saint poets Appar and Sundarar
Royapuram Railway Station	Royapuram	India’s first railway terminus, opened 1856. Heritage building, now a protected monument
Madras High Court	High Court stop	Built 1892, Indo-Saracenic masterpiece; second largest court complex in the world by area
Fort St George	Chennai Fort stop	India’s first English fortress, built 1644 by the East India Company; contains St Mary’s Church (1680), India’s oldest Anglican church
MGR Chennai Central Station	Chennai Central	Main intercity terminus, built 1873 in Indo-Saracenic style; named after actor-politician M G Ramachandran
Egmore Museum	Dasaprakash area	Government Museum (1851), one of India’s oldest public museums with an exceptional bronzes gallery
KMC Hospital Heritage Campus	KMC Hospital	Historic government medical institution in operation since colonial era
Poonamallee Fort Ruins	Poonamallee	Colonial-era fortification ruins, historical military cantonment site
Saveetha University	Saveetha Hospital	Private university campus with dental and medical colleges
ACS Medical College	ACS Medical College	Private medical institution serving the Poonamallee region

Who Uses Route 101

The Cross-City Commuter

Route 101 is primarily used by people who need to travel across Chennai without changing buses. The direct connection between Thiruvottiyur and Poonamallee via the city centre is unique. Industrial workers from the Ennore-Thiruvottiyur belt heading to businesses in Arumbakkam or Poonamallee find this route invaluable.

City Centre Users

The route’s passage through Parrys Corner, High Court, Chennai Central, and Egmore makes it useful for lawyers heading to the High Court, traders at the George Town wholesale market, railway passengers at Central, and government employees in Egmore.

Healthcare Commuters

Both ends of Route 101 have significant healthcare infrastructure. KMC Hospital in Kilpauk, Poonamallee Government Hospital, Saveetha Hospital, and ACS Medical College generate substantial daily ridership from patients, hospital staff, and medical students.

Students

DG Vaishnava College in Arumbakkam, ACS Medical College, Saveetha University, and various schools along the route contribute to student ridership, particularly in the morning and early afternoon.

Traveller Tips for Route 101

Plan Around the Limited Timetable

With only 8 trips per day from each end, missing a bus means a long wait. Study the timetable carefully before travel
Gaps of 3 to 4 hours exist between some trips (for example, between the 9:38 AM and 1:04 PM departures from Thiruvottiyur). Carry water and plan accordingly
The last bus from Thiruvottiyur is at 5:53 PM and from Poonamallee at 7:58 PM. Do not miss these if you need the full route

Night Service Option

If you need to travel this corridor after 8 PM, Route 101NS (night service) operates on the same route with 5 trips per day from each end
The 101NS first bus from Poonamallee starts as early as 1:50 AM, making it an option for very early morning travel
The 101NS terminates at 11:50 PM from Thiruvottiyur and 10:00 PM from Poonamallee

The Peak Time Speed Warning

Average speed on Route 101 during peak hours is only 18 km per hour. For a 34.1 km route this means the journey can stretch well beyond 2 hours during morning and evening peaks
If you are travelling between Thiruvottiyur and Chennai Central (approximately halfway), consider the suburban railway as a faster alternative during peak hours
For Poonamallee to Arumbakkam or Koyambedu, consider Route 109 or other West Chennai routes as alternatives

Boarding Strategy

Board at Thiruvottiyur terminus for guaranteed seating for the long journey
Board at Poonamallee terminus for guaranteed seating going east
Parrys Corner (Broadway) is a mid-route boarding opportunity if you are coming from the George Town area heading toward either terminus

Bus Tracking

Use the MTC official website at mtcbus.tn.gov.in for current schedules and route information
Contact MTC customer care for real-time bus location information
The TownBus app and Chennai Travel Route Map app support MTC route information

About MTC Chennai

Fact	Detail
Full Name	Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Limited
Fleet size	Approximately 3,376 buses including 255 electric buses as of 2024-25
Daily passengers	Over 12 lakh (1.2 million) passengers per day
Total routes	662 routes covering Chennai and surrounding areas
Monthly pass	Rs 2,000 unlimited monthly pass launched March 2025, valid on all MTC services
Official website	mtcbus.tn.gov.in
Complaint registration	Available at mtcbus.tn.gov.in or at any MTC depot

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Route 101 run only 8 trips per day?

Route 101 covers 34.1 kilometres with 53 stops, making it one of the longer routes in the MTC network. At an average speed of 18 km per hour during peak hours, a single one-way trip takes about 110 to 120 minutes. With 45 buses assigned to this route, the number of achievable daily trips per direction is limited by the sheer length of the journey. Passengers needing to travel partial sections of this route at higher frequency can consider connecting buses at major interchange points like Broadway, Chennai Central, or Arumbakkam.

Is there a night bus on the Thiruvottiyur to Poonamallee corridor?

Yes. Route 101NS is the night service variant operating on the same Thiruvottiyur to Poonamallee corridor. It has 63 stops and runs 5 trips per day from each end. The earliest bus from Poonamallee departs at 1:50 AM and the last bus departs at 10:00 PM. From Thiruvottiyur, the first bus is at 3:40 AM and the last at 11:50 PM.

Does Route 101 stop at Broadway?

The main Route 101 passes through and stops at Parrys Corner, which is adjacent to Broadway. A separate variant of Route 101 terminates at Broadway itself, running from Poonamallee with 50 stops and a journey time of approximately 59 minutes. This Broadway variant is useful for passengers heading specifically to the Broadway bus terminus area.

Can I use Route 101 to reach Chennai Central station from Thiruvottiyur?

Yes. Chennai Central is Stop 22 on Route 101, approximately 38 to 48 minutes from Thiruvottiyur under normal traffic. However, if you are catching a train, it is strongly advisable to add a buffer of at least 30 minutes as peak-hour traffic on this route is significant. The suburban railway from Thiruvottiyur Railway Station to Chennai Central via Royapuram is a faster alternative during peak hours.

How long does the full journey from Thiruvottiyur to Poonamallee take?

The end-to-end journey is approximately 110 to 120 minutes (about 1 hour 50 minutes to 2 hours) under normal traffic conditions. During peak hours this can extend to 2 hours 30 minutes or more. The 34.1 kilometre route at an average of 18 km per hour peak speed accounts for this long journey time.

Does Route 101 have an AC bus?

No. Route 101 does not operate any air-conditioned bus variant. The route runs Ordinary and Express services only.

What is the best way to reach Maduravoyal from Thiruvottiyur?

Route 101 is one of the few direct bus options for this journey, stopping at multiple Maduravoyal stops including Maduravoyal Ration Shop, Post Office, Market, and Arikari. Journey time from Thiruvottiyur to Maduravoyal is approximately 75 to 90 minutes. An alternative is to take a bus to Koyambedu or Arumbakkam and then connect to Maduravoyal from there.

How do I complain about Route 101 service?

Complaints about Route 101 can be registered at the MTC official website at mtcbus.tn.gov.in, at the Thiruvottiyur depot or Poonamallee depot in person, or through the MTC customer care number. Note the bus number displayed on the vehicle, the date, time, and stop for the most effective resolution.

Useful Links and Resources

MTC Official Website: mtcbus.tn.gov.in
Alternate bus tracking: TownBus app and Chennai Travel Route Map app support MTC route information
Night service: Route 101NS operates the same corridor after hours
Broadway variant: A Route 101 variant terminates at Broadway for central city access
Monthly pass: Rs 2,000 unlimited MTC pass available at Poonamallee and Thiruvottiyur depots
Complaint registration: mtcbus.tn.gov.in portal or any MTC depot

Last updated: March 2026. MTC may change route timings, stops, and fares without notice. Always verify current information with MTC Chennai before travel.

101 : Thiruvotriyur – Poonamallee