From a family-run finance company in Salem to operating a fleet of 50-60 buses across South India, Tharai Groups has come a long way. T.K. Thiru Gnana Sambantham, Managing Director of Tharai Groups, shares insights into the company’s journey, challenges, and vision for the future of India’s bus transport industry.
From Modest Beginnings to Fleet Expansion
What began as a localized operation has rapidly expanded into a diverse transport matrix. Today, Tharai Travels operates across important routes such as Chennai–Salem, Chennai–Madurai, Chennai–Theni, Chennai–Bengaluru, Chennai–Hyderabad, and Chennai–Visakhapatnam, among others. The company’s presence spans both scheduled passenger travel and contract transportation, offering flexibility across multiple customer segments such as manufacturing industries, software companies, educational institutions, and tour segments.
The company relies on established chassis manufacturers like Ashok Leyland, Tata, and Eicher, while partnering with renowned body builders in Karur.
“The transition from finance to transportation wasn’t planned, it was born from necessity. Around 2009, we saw a gap in bus availability and ticketing. That is when we started with just two buses. Today, we have developed with 50-60 buses,” he recalls.
The company is exploring electric buses as part of its future-ready strategy. The company is currently evaluating multiple EV brands while also planning to build a stronger intercity model in collaboration with operators.
“We are studying EV options from multiple OEMs like Olectra, JBM, Switch, Veera and others, but the key factors are route suitability and charging infrastructure. EVs are viable today only on fixed routes. Availability of charging stations across highways will decide how fast we can scale this transition. Price and operational efficiency will also play a critical role in our decision-making,” he added.
Navigating Industry Challenges
Despite its growth, the transport industry faces distinct hurdles. Mr. Sambantham identifies poor road infrastructure, hazardous highway crossings, and driver negligence as primary causes of accidents. He also highlights overcapacity on some routes, falling pricing discipline, rising tolls, fuel costs, and pressure from aggregators as major concerns for bus operators. From an operational standpoint, bureaucratic red tape and manual paperwork for permits and insurance renewals continue to bottleneck efficiency.
He also pointed to a critical but less-discussed challenge: after-sales support from OEMs. Service centers often struggle with parts availability and trained mechanics, especially as vehicle technology becomes more complex. With BS6 vehicles and increasing sensor dependency, even a small technical issue can immobilize a bus, creating major service disruptions for operators and passengers alike.
The shortage of skilled mechanics is another issue he believes deserves greater policy attention. While technology in buses has advanced rapidly, training in diagnostics and maintenance has not kept pace. He suggests this gap could be addressed through government-led skill development and vocational programs that prepare more young people for technical transport roles.
Technology and the Passenger Experience
Technology will define the next phase of the bus industry. GPS tracking, dashcams, passenger alerts, panic buttons, and driver-monitoring systems are becoming essential, not optional. These tools improve passenger confidence, operational efficiency, and safety, especially on long-distance routes.
On the consumer side, the modern omnibus experience has evolved to rival luxury hospitality, offering clean bedding, entertainment, snacks, and onboard restrooms. However, this level of service introduces new challenges, particularly regarding onboard hygiene and the consumption of strong-smelling foods in enclosed, air-conditioned spaces.
Adapting to shifting corporate cultures is crucial for survival. With IT sectors along adopting remote work, corporate transit demand is transforming into gig-based or project-based travel. Simultaneously, fluctuating geopolitical oil prices make alternative fuels attractive, though electric vehicles (EVs) present their own logistical confines.
At the same time, he sees strong opportunity in the future of mobility. As population, tourism, and industrial activity continue to grow, transport demand is unlikely to shrink. He sees particular potential in group tours, family travel, company outings, school trips, and employee transportation, especially in South India where new industries are expanding.
Association Initiatives: Building Infrastructure
As State Secretary of the All Omni Bus Owners Association (Tamil Nadu), Mr. Sambantham is actively involved in several industry-wide infrastructure initiatives. The association successfully launched a massive 5-acre motel in Ulundurpet, serving up to 10,000 passengers daily. They are now planning a revolutionary 25-acre private omnibus terminal in Chennai, complete with EV charging, repair zones, and tire services, alongside 20 new motels across South India.
The association also conducts annual gatherings where operators learn about technical products, GST, insurance changes, and AITP updates, creating an ecosystem of shared knowledge.
The Road Ahead
In the long term, his goal is clear: to build Tharai Travels into a stronger South Indian brand known not merely for fleet size, but for safe, comfortable, and customer-focused travel. For Mr. Sambantham, growth is important, but growth with service is what truly matters.
He says the company’s ambitions go beyond adding vehicles. The larger vision is to build a reliable intercity brand that earns customer trust through consistency, comfort, and safety. In an industry shaped by competition and constant operational challenges, that service-first mindset remains central to Tharai Travels’ growth story.