Focus on bus services to all villages: Minister

​Godavarikhani (Karimnagar): Minister for Transport Patnam Mahender Reddy said that despite the TSRTC is facing financial crunch, the government has plans to add a new fleet of buses to operate more services for the convenience of commuters.

After inaugurating two air-conditioned and 10 JNNURM buses here on Saturday, the Minister said the government is committed to improve the bus service network in the State even though the RTC is incurring losses every year.

He said that though Palle Velugu services are causing a huge dent in the RTC’s exchequer to the tune of Rs 200, the government didn’t discard these services keeping in view of people’s convenience.

Though the RTC ferry nearly 90 lakh people across the State every day, as of now the government’s focus is on to connect nearly 1,100 villages that are not connected by the RTC bus service network,” Reddy said, revealing Corporation’s plans to purchase 1,200 buses at an estimated cost of Rs 360 crore.

Besides earmarking Rs 40 crore for the construction of pucca buildings, the government is also focusing on improving the facilities in all 95 bus depots with an outlay of Rs 18 crore, he said.

Emphasising that government is not looking the RTC as a revenue generating source, Minister for Finance E Rajender asserted that only aim of the RTC is to provide transportation facility to people.

TSRTC chairman Somarapu Satyanarayana said that though the RTC is running in losses, the government is providing assistance to
Corporation in view of 60,000-odd employees.
Chief Whip Koppula Eashwar and RTC officials were present.

By: Adepu Mahender