Virudhunagar district administration has invited applications from transport operators to operate mini-buses on 56 identified routes across the district.

The routes have been identified by the Regional Transport Offices at Virudhunagar, Srivilliputtur and Sivakasi and the Unit Offices at Rajapalayam and Aruppukottai, said Virudhunagar Collector V. P. Jeyaseelan.

Those interested to operate minibuses in the identified routes should submit their applications to get permits on payment of ₹1,600. The filled-in applications along with necessary certificates should be submitted to the respective RTO or unit offices by February 28 in person.

Under the new Government Order, the mini-bus route would be a maximum of 25 km. The unserved route length in the identified route would not be less than 65% of the total length of the route.

Either the originating or the terminating points of the route would be unserved residential area or village. Similarly, the other point should be a bus stand or bus stop.

The maximum length of the route could be increased from the terminating point by a maximum of one km if a school, college, railway station, uzhavar santhai, Collectorate office, taluk office, or an important places of worship were located.

Existing mini-bus operators can also switch to the routes under the new rules on submission of their interest in writing and surrendering their permit. At least a minimum of 1.5 km of additional distance should be unserved route.

The seating capacity should be for a maximum of 25 passengers, excluding that of the driver and conductor.

Any route where regular bus service or mini-bus service was not covered by more than four trips would be considered as unserved route.