RTC incurs huge loss

Ch Sowmya Sruthi

Vijayawada: The Krishna unit of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has incurred a loss of about Rs 3 crore during the last six days of Samaikyandra agitation in the district. The public is put to severe inconvenience as every other association and organisation is joining protests in support of the united State. Public transport is severely hit. Many buses were restricted to depots in the city and other centres.

Buses to long distances were almost cancelled or stopped on the way. Buses from Vijayawada to Hyderabad are being run regularly while services to Kadapa, Chittoor, Vishakapatnam and Rajahmundry are stopped. There are, however, occasional trips from Vijayawada to Bangalore during the bandh.Till date, the RTC has showed a loss of Rs 50 lakh per day and the situation can turn worse if the bandh continued.

The city services were also cut down during the bandh. Most of the buses to the distant places returned to the depots. While the agitation is gaining momentum, the Employees Union (EU) of the APSRTC has called for strike from August 12, in support of Samaikyandhra. There would be no buses on roads as drivers, conductors, and other staff will stay away from duties.

Speaking to The Hans India, the Deputy Traffic Manager of the district, B Nagendra Prasad said, “If the employees go on a strike from August 12, buses will not run from the midnight of August 11. A loss of Rs 1 crore per day is expected.”