109

Route 109 at a Glance

Route 109 vs Related Routes: Which Should You Take?

All 22 Named Stops with Landmarks and Local Context

Route 109 traces one of Chennai’s most scenic commuter corridors, running from the historic Broadway terminus in central Chennai down the coastline via Adyar, Thiruvanmiyur, and the East Coast Road (ECR) all the way to Kovalam. It is the lifeline bus for dozens of ECR coastal settlements that have limited alternative MTC connectivity.

Bus Fare Chart for Route 109

Route 109 operates as an ordinary service. The minimum starting fare is Rs 6. All fares include a cess of Rs 1.

Interchange and Connectivity Guide

Who Uses Route 109

ECR Coastal Village Residents

Residents of Kottivakkam, Palavakkam, Neelankarai, Vettuvankeni, Injambakkam, Panaiyur, Uthandi, Kanathur, Muttukadu, and Kovalam depend entirely on Route 109 for public transport to the city. For many of these localities, Route 109 is the only direct MTC connection to Broadway and Central Chennai. The 1-hour frequency reflects the lower ridership density compared to city-centre routes but is critical for those who rely on it.

Pilgrims to Vettuvankeni

The Our Lady of Health Church at Vettuvankeni is one of Tamil Nadu’s most visited pilgrimage sites, particularly during the annual feast in February. Route 109 is the primary public transport link for city pilgrims traveling from Broadway, Chepauk, and Adyar. On feast days, extra services are typically added.

ECR Day Trippers and Tourists

Neelankarai Beach, Chola Mandal Artists Village, VGP Golden Beach, Muttukadu Boat House, and Kovalam are all popular day trip destinations from Chennai. Route 109 is the only MTC bus that connects Broadway to this entire ECR tourist belt in a single ride, making it valuable for budget-conscious tourists and families.

Adyar and Thiruvanmiyur Residents Traveling to North Chennai

Residents of Adyar and Thiruvanmiyur use Route 109 for direct connectivity to Broadway, Central Railway Station, the Secretariat, and the Chepauk-Marina zone without changing buses. Adyar Depot and Thiruvanmiyur are the highest-boarding stops on the route.

Medical Patients from ECR Localities

ECR residents from Panaiyur, Uthandi, Kanathur, and Muttukadu rely on Route 109 to access hospitals in Adyar, Thiruvanmiyur, and the city. Nature Care Hospital at Muttukadu is a key stop for local healthcare access along the route.

Route 109 Operating Timetable Overview

With approximately 42 trips per day from Broadway and 43 from Kovalam, the average headway is around 60 minutes (1 hour). Always verify current timings at mtcbus.tn.gov.in before travel.

Direction 1: Broadway to Kovalam Bus Depot

First bus: 5:00 AM  |  Last bus: 9:40 PM  |  Approx. 42 trips/day

Direction 2: Kovalam Bus Depot to Broadway

First bus: 4:45 AM  |  Last bus: 9:20 PM  |  Approx. 43 trips/day

Traveller Tips for Route 109

Know the Route Before Boarding

• Route 109 is the only direct MTC bus from Broadway to the deep ECR corridor (Panaiyur, Uthandi, Muttukadu, Kovalam). There is no alternative MTC route for these destinations from the city.
• At Broadway, check the destination board on the front of the bus carefully. Related routes 109T (Thiruvotriyur to Kovalam) and 109TCT also operate on parts of this corridor.
• Route 109 does not serve OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road). For Sholinganallur, Perungudi, or TIDEL Park, board routes 570 or 570S from Broadway or Adyar instead.
• Some trips terminate at Adyar Depot rather than continuing to Kovalam or Broadway. Confirm with the conductor at Adyar Depot.

Frequency Planning

• Route 109 runs approximately once per hour. This is significantly lower frequency than most Chennai city routes. Always check timings before heading to the bus stop.
• There is no reliable alternative route for ECR localities beyond Thiruvanmiyur. If you miss the bus, the next one is 60 minutes away.
• Moovit app provides real-time Route 109 tracking. Use it to check live bus position before leaving home.
• For the Broadway to Adyar stretch, more frequent alternatives (Routes 21C, 5, M36) are available. Route 109 is most valuable for the Thiruvanmiyur-to-Kovalam section.

Peak Hour and Weekend Strategy

• Board at Broadway early (at least 10 minutes before scheduled departure) during morning peak hours (7 AM to 9 AM). The bus fills rapidly at Adyar and Thiruvanmiyur.
• On Sundays and public holidays, ECR beach stops (Neelankarai, VGP Golden Beach, Muttukadu) see very high passenger loads. Expect standing journeys from Adyar southward.
• During the Vettuvankeni Church feast (typically February), Route 109 is extremely crowded. MTC usually adds extra services but plan for delays.

Bus Tracking

• MTC official website: mtcbus.tn.gov.in for current schedules
• Moovit app for real-time Route 109 tracking in Chennai
• Contact MTC customer care for live updates on Route 109 service

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Route 109 the only bus to Muttukadu and Kovalam from the city?

Yes. Route 109 is the only MTC ordinary bus that runs directly from Broadway to Muttukadu and Kovalam. Route 109T (Deluxe) covers a wider span from Thiruvotriyur to Kovalam but has different timings. For most city-based travellers, Route 109 from Broadway is the primary option.

Can I use Route 109 to visit Mahabalipuram?

Route 109 terminates at Kovalam, which is approximately 28 km north of Mahabalipuram. From Kovalam Bus Depot, you can take an auto-rickshaw or board other buses continuing south on ECR toward Mahabalipuram. MTC routes 109C and TNSTC buses also cover the Kovalam to Mahabalipuram section.

What is the last bus from Kovalam to Broadway?

The last bus from Kovalam Bus Depot toward Broadway departs at approximately 9:20 PM. If you miss this, there is no further MTC service until the next morning. Ensure you plan your return journey well in advance, particularly on weekends when traffic can delay the journey.

How do I reach Chola Mandal Artists Village?

Chola Mandal Artists Village (Cholamandal) has a dedicated stop on Route 109 between Vettuvankeni and Injambakkam. Alight at the Chola Mandal stop. The gallery is open most days; verify visiting hours before your journey at the Cholamandal Artists Village website.

What is the difference between Routes 109, 109T, and 109TCT?

Route 109 is the ordinary service from Broadway to Kovalam. Route 109T is a Deluxe service running from Thiruvotriyur (North Chennai) to Kovalam, covering a much longer corridor of over 90 stops. Route 109TCT is an ordinary variant also serving Broadway to Kovalam with slightly different stop coverage. For most users, Route 109 from Broadway is the standard choice.

Is the monthly MTC pass valid on Route 109?

Yes. The Rs 2,000 unlimited MTC monthly pass (from March 2025) is valid on Route 109.

How do I reach Chennai Central from Kovalam?

Board Route 109 at Kovalam Depot toward Broadway. The journey takes approximately 90 to 100 minutes. Alight at Broadway and walk 5 to 8 minutes to Chennai Central Railway Station. Alternatively, alight at Adyar Depot and board a more frequent city route toward Chennai Central.

Useful Links and Resources

• MTC Official Website: mtcbus.tn.gov.in
• Related routes: 109T (Thiruvotriyur to Kovalam, Deluxe), 109TCT (Broadway to Kovalam, ordinary variant)
• Moovit app for real-time Route 109 tracking
• Monthly pass: Rs 2,000 unlimited MTC pass covers Route 109 (from March 2025)
• MTC complaint registration: mtcbus.tn.gov.in portal or any MTC depot
• Cholamandal Artists Village: cholamandal.com for gallery visiting hours
• Tamil Nadu Tourism Muttukadu Boat House: tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in for boat house timings

Last updated: April 2026. MTC may change route timings, stops, and fares without notice. Timetable figures are calculated estimates. Always verify current information at mtcbus.tn.gov.in before travel.