Poonamallee bus terminus now has its own metro station. The Poonamallee Bus Terminus station on the Phase 2 line to Vadapalani, opened on 11 October 2026, recorded 5,155 bus trips in MTC figures reported by DT Next, the most of the 11 stations on the stretch. By that measure it is the main bus and metro interchange on the new line, ahead of Poonamallee Government Hospital and Karayanchavadi.
This guide lists what leaves from the terminus, where it goes and how often, based on MTC route data from our route pages. Poonamallee is also a through point for many routes heading to Sriperumbudur, Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram, which we list separately.
Routes from Poonamallee
| Route | Other end | Main stops on the way | Length | Bus every |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PP66 | Vandalur Zoo | Kundrathur, Pallavaram, Tambaram | 28.9 km | 8 min |
| 101 | Tiruvottiyur | Maduravoyal, Arumbakkam, Central, Royapuram | 34.1 km | about 12 min |
| 254 | Broadway | Porur, Guindy, Saidapet | 27.4 km | 29 min |
| 65 | Avadi | Senneerkuppam, Govardanagiri | 12 km | 1.4 hrs |
| 65K | Avadi | Paruthipattu | 17.1 km | 1.9 hrs |
| J66 | Tambaram | not listed on page | 18.3 km | 2 hrs |
| 580P | Periyapalayam | Thirumazhisai, Thirunindravur, Vengal | 38.6 km | 2 hrs |
| 66J | Pallavaram | Mangadu, Kundrathur, Pammal | 22.5 km | 2.5 hrs |
| 65T | Ambattur Estate | Avadi, Ambattur OT, Korattur | 24.1 km | 2.6 hrs |
| 562B | Ponneri | Avadi, Red Hills, Sholavaram | 51.3 km | 2.7 hrs |
| 591C | Perambakkam | Chembarambakkam, Koovam | 34.6 km | 3.7 hrs |
Source: MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route pages (linked). Frequencies are averages and may be dated.
Frequencies quoted here are averages from MTC route data shown on our route pages. They may be dated and real gaps vary through the day, so check current timings with MTC, or on the MTC announcements page for service changes, before you travel.
The two frequent cross-city routes
PP66 is the busiest route in this guide, with a bus about every eight minutes on a 28.9 km run through Mangadu, Kundrathur, Pallavaram, Chromepet and Tambaram to Vandalur Zoo. It is the main way to reach the southern suburbs without going through the city.
101 runs the other way across the city. Its route page lists 53 stops over 34.1 km, from Poonamallee through Velappanchavadi, Maduravoyal and Arumbakkam to Central, Parry’s and Royapuram before ending at Tiruvottiyur, with a bus roughly every 12 minutes. 254 to Broadway takes the southern road through Porur and Guindy instead, about every 29 minutes.
Bus trips recorded at the Poonamallee Bus Terminus metro station, the highest of the 11 stations on the Poonamallee to Vadapalani stretch, according to MTC figures reported by DT Next.
DT Next did not say what period the trip counts cover, so read them as a comparison between stations rather than a daily total. MTC said it would work with CMRL on extra feeder services and dedicated stops at metro stations, depending on demand.
Through routes to the west
Poonamallee is on the way for several long routes that start elsewhere. 566A from Tambaram to Thiruvallur passes about every hour. 576 from T. Nagar to Kancheepuram and 582 to Vallakkottai pass through on their way west to Sriperumbudur. From Vadapalani, 591B heads for Perambakkam and 538 for Kadambattur, while 565A links Avadi with Sriperumbudur and Sunguvarchathiram.
Depot and electric buses
Poonamallee is one of five depots where MTC approved Rs 111.50 crore of civil and electrical work for new electric buses, along with Tondiarpet-I, Vyasarpadi, Perumbakkam and the Central Depot, DT Next reported in July 2025.
- Change between metro and bus at the Poonamallee Bus Terminus station, which has the most bus trips on the new line.
- For Tambaram and the southern suburbs, PP66 is the frequent option.
- For Central, Parry’s and North Chennai, 101 runs across the city to Tiruvottiyur.
- Routes to Ponneri, Perambakkam and Periyapalayam run hours apart, so plan ahead.
Quick answers
Which bus goes from Poonamallee to Tambaram?
Route PP66 runs via Kundrathur and Pallavaram to Tambaram and Vandalur Zoo, about every eight minutes in MTC route data.
Is there a metro station at Poonamallee bus terminus?
Yes. Poonamallee Bus Terminus is one of the 11 stations on the Poonamallee to Vadapalani metro stretch opened on 11 October 2026.
Which bus goes from Poonamallee to Central?
Route 101 to Tiruvottiyur passes Chennai Central, about every 12 minutes.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- MTC to strengthen feeder bus services along Poonamallee-Vadapalani Metro corridor (DT Next)
- PM Modi to inaugurate Poonamallee to Vadapalani metro phase 2 on Oct 11 (DT Next)
- MTC’s roadmap: double fleet size, more EVs, 40 new depots (DT Next, July 2025)
- News and announcements (Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Chennai)
- Route PP66: Vandalur Zoo to Poonamallee, MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page
- Route 101: Tiruvottiyur to Poonamallee, MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page
- Route 562B: Poonamallee to Ponneri, MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page
