AP government sanctions Rs. 1000 crore to APSRTC to procure 698 new buses

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has geared up for changes in the department to ensure the increase in passengers. As part of this, the government is expected to buy 698 new buses this month. It is proposed to buy 18 multi-axle Volvo, 50 Indra and 630 non AC buses. On the other hand, old buses are being phased out while others are revamped.

Before the merger of the corporation in government, the state government had heavily funded the RTC with Rs. 1,572 crore in Budget. Subsequently, Rs.225 crores were also allocated for the purchase of new buses. Currently, there are 27 white sleeper and 68 Amaravati buses in the RTC. RTC has decided to supply 18 sophisticated multi-axle Volvo buses such as Garuda, Garuda Plus, Indra and Urban buses total up to 230.

RTC officials expect buses from private schools and colleges to be turned into city services in major cities as the Private buses belonging to schools and colleges are empty at all times except in the morning and evening. It is decided to negotiate with the owners of educational institutions to provide fuel for the buses and use them in their free time. Initially, the proposal would likely to be implemented in Visakhapatnam.