104 MTC Bus Route, Timings & Stops
Route Overview
The 104 MTC bus route is a major transit lifeline in Chennai, acting as a high-speed link connecting the far northern suburbs of Redhills to the southern transport hub of Tambaram Sanatorium. The distinct operational advantage of Route 104 is its strategic use of the Chennai Bypass Road. By skipping the heavily congested inner-city choke points, this service cuts straight through the periphery, offering commuters an exceptionally fast transit window between northern industrial zones and southern residential belts.
Major Hubs & Transit Interchanges
- Tambaram Railway Station: Immediate access to Southern Chennai suburban rail lines and long-distance trains.
- **Porur Toll Plaza:** Major intersection point for private Omni buses and west-bound commuters.
- **Ambattur Industrial Estate:** Primary industrial and IT hub connection.
- **Puzhal & Redhills:** Northern gateway markets and outer ring terminal connections.
Full List of Bus Stops (Tambaram to Redhills)
- Tambaram Sanatorium BT
- Tambaram
- Irumbuliyur
- Porur Toll Plaza
- Athipet Junction
- Ambattur Police Station
- Ambattur IT Park
- Ambattur Industrial Estate
- Ambattur Telephone Exchange
- Ambattur TI
- Dunlop
- Canara Bank
- Ambattur Singapore Shoppee
- Rakki Theatre
- Ambattur Oragadam
- Pudur
- Wireless Company
- Kallikuppam Temple
- Kallikuppam Tea Kadai Bus Stop
- Shanmugapuram
- Sivapraasam Nagar
- Surapet
- Velammal College
- Surapet Chocolate Company
- Puzhal Screw Factory
- Puzhal Camp
- Puzhal Jail
- Kavangarai
- Sri Nallaghu Polytechnic College
- Ayurveda Ashramam
- Redhills Market
- Redhills BT
Return Route (Redhills to Tambaram)
- Redhills BT
- Redhills Market
- Ayurveda Ashramam
- Sri Nallaghu Polytechnic College
- Kavangarai
- Puzhal Jail
- Puzhal Camp
- Puzhal Screw Factory
- Surapet Chocolate Company
- Velammal College
- Surapet
- Sivapraasam Nagar
- Shanmugapuram
- Kallikuppam Tea Kadai Bus Stop
- Kallikuppam Temple
- Wireless Company
- Pudur
- Ambattur Oragadam
- Rakki Theatre
- Ambattur Singapore Shoppee
- Canara Bank
- Dunlop
- Ambattur TI
- Ambattur Telephone Exchange
- Ambattur Industrial Estate
- Ambattur IT Park
- Ambattur Police Station
- Athipet Junction
- Porur Toll Plaza
- Irumbuliyur
- Tambaram
- Tambaram Sanatorium BT
Bypass Efficiency & Passenger Connectivity
Route 104 is uniquely beneficial for outstation train passengers arriving via the southern terminal. With ongoing infrastructure upgrades and major train originations shifting toward Tambaram Railway Station, this route provides an unbroken, affordable link across the city without requiring passengers to handle exhausting metro or suburban rail transfers through Central or Egmore.
Furthermore, it bridges a crucial gap for commuters trying to connect with private long-distance buses. Following the relocation of long-distance Omni bus operations away from Koyambedu towards Kilambakkam (KCBT), a significant number of operators still use Porur Toll Plaza and Maduravoyal as primary pick-up points. Very few public buses link the deep south directly to the Porur Toll gates, making Route 104 an essential connector for holiday travelers.
My Practical Insider Travel Tips
- The Shift Jam: While the bypass portion flies past traffic, the bus enters heavy local congestion once it dips into the Ambattur Industrial Estate and Ambattur OT stretches. Expect severe transit delays during peak factory/office shift windows between 8:00 AM–10:00 AM and 6:00 PM–9:00 PM.
- Securing a Seat: Since an immense volume of train travelers board at Tambaram, seats disappear almost immediately at the start of the route. If you are doing the long-haul trip all the way to Redhills with luggage, it is always best to board right at the Tambaram Sanatorium terminal to lock down a seat.
- Interchange Alternatives: If you are looking to head towards Maduravoyal or Poonamallee High Road, get down at Athipet Junction rather than waiting out the Ambattur loops, as local shares and autos link up much faster from there.
Does the 104 bus go to Kilambakkam Bus Stand (KCBT)?
No, the 104 bus does not extend to Kilambakkam. To reach KCBT from this route, alight at Tambaram Railway Station, walk through the suburban station subway to the eastern side, and switch to any southbound city bus heading directly to Kilambakkam.
Is this bus route heavily crowded?
Yes, expect heavy crowds during weekday office hours and high weekend passenger volumes due to commuters carrying heavy luggage to and from the Tambaram railway terminals.
Does the 104 bus stop on top of the Maduravoyal Flyover?
No, it bypasses the main flyover ramps. For destinations near Maduravoyal, your best option is to alight at the Athipet Junction bus stop and hop onto an auto or local mini-bus service connecting the nearby main roads.
