Mini-AC buses to replace deluxe buses

TSRTC plans to introduce 30 mini-AC buses on Warangal-Hyderabad route by Sankranthi

Warangal: The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) is contemplating to phase out deluxe category buses from its fleet in a phased manner to replace them with mini-air conditioned buses.

As part of the plan, a total of 30 mini-AC buses will be introduced in Warangal-Hyderabad route by Sankranthi next year in the place of deluxe buses, which are being operated now, informed RTC Warangal Regional Manager T Surya Kiran.

Replacing the buses, which completed their service life, is a continuous process. But currently there is scope of replacing the deluxe category buses. However, buses falling under like Express, Super Luxury AC, Garuda and Palle Velugu category will be replaced with new ones after their life cycle is over, he said.

Speaking to The Hans India, Surya Kiran revealed that 100 new Palle Velugu buses will be added to the fleet of RTC Warangal region within next three months.

It is expected that about 70 new Palle Velugu buses will be included to the fleet of buses in the region by December 31. Nearly 80 per cent of high end buses like AC, Garuda and Super Luxury will be replaced with new ones by January first week. Several new hire buses will also be arriving soon. During the last three months, 14 Palle Velugu buses and three AC buses are already added to the fleet.

Referring complaints of frequent break down of buses on the run as they are exceeded their life cycle, the Regional Manager denied such complaints. He said during the last six months, nearly 70 old buses have been withdrawn, there are only 20 buses that reached end of their life cycle and they are not in use.

“We are running buses, which even covered a distance of 10 to 13 lakh kilometres. Every bus will be thoroughly overhauled with new engine, axles and body repairs will be carried out to make them fit to run on the roads,” Surya Kiran explained.

The fleet strength of RTC Warangal region is 970 buses of which 930 buses will be operated daily and 40 buses will be kept on standby. Every day the buses will cover a distance of 2.87 lakh kilometres transporting nearly nine lakh passengers.

Demonetisation makes a dent in income The TSRTC Warangal region is suffering a loss of nearly Rs 10 to 20 lakhs per day in its income due to demonetisation of higher denomination currency and lack of smaller denomination notes. Average earnings in the region is around one crore rupees per day.

In November, the income stood at Rs 90 lakh per day while in December it is Rs 80 lakh per day. As a result the RTC suffered a loss of Rs 2 crores in November and a loss of Rs 4 crores occurred so far in the current month, Surya Kiran informed.

When asked about the measures being taken towards cashless transactions, he said they are yet to receive swiping machines. The machines are expected to be supplied by the end of this month, he added.