TSRTC in heavy losses

Only 10 out of the 95 bus depots in Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) are running in profits clearly showing the reason for piling up of losses of the corporation.

This was disclosed by TSRTC Chairman S Satyanarayana, who had a review meeting with the divisional managers and head of departments of the Corporation at Bus Bhavan in Musheerabad recently.

Addressing the meeting the Chairman said, “In wake of increase in the number of districts in the State, the Corporation too has appointed divisional managers for the areas and discussed about their duties.” However, he mentioned that there would be need for additional staff in the areas.

Satyanarayana informed that last year the Corporation suffered a loss of Rs 700 crore. The chairman said that the reason for losses was that the turnover of the Corporation was at Rs 4,000 crore per year.

“This has remained the same for some years now. If it is increased the profits would also increase,” he said adding that aim was to get the figure to Rs 5,000 crore.

More facilities for passengers
Stating that the corporation was presently carrying only 40 per cent of the passengers, Satyanarayana said that buses will be provided wherever there was a need for it.

He said that the Corporation was procuring 1,157 new buses and 236 mini-buses for providing last mile connectivity in the State.

“The best practices followed in the profit making depots will be taken and the practices which are making losses would be avoided,” he affirmed.

RTC MD GV Ramana Rao said that Corporation will provide more facilities to the passengers in the bus stations. This includes distribution of mineral water bottles.

“We will tie up with Bisleri, which has agreed to provide water bottle at Rs 9.50. It has come to our notice that shops at bus stations were selling sub-standard water and charging more than the MRP.

Our aim is to provide quality water and exact price,” said Ramana Rao. He said that this initiative will not affect the existing drinking water facility at the stations or the RO plants fixed by public representatives.

The MD said that mini-buses will be used for customised tours at competitive prices on par with private transporters. This initiative is slated to start in December.