APSRTC set to hike bus fares: Minister Perni Nani

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has decided to increase bus fares for all services, including Palle Velugu and city services.

According to Transport Minister Perni Nani, it has been decided to increase the charges by 10 paise/km for Palle Velugu and city bus services and 20 paise/km for all other services. The new rates would become effective from next week once the detailed tariff chart was prepared by the Corporation.

Addressing the media, the minister said the hike was much less compared to Telangana. The RTC is in losses to the tune of Rs 6735 crore and has been facing a burden of Rs 600 to Rs 700 crore every year due to increase in diesel prices.

Stating that the RTC is increasing the fares after a gap of four years, Nani said the diesel prices were up from Rs 50 to Rs 75 in the last three years and the Corporation could not cope up with the increasing expenses like salaries, allowances, maintenances, etc.

Replying to a question, he said the RTC is increasing the fares to save the organization and pointed out that the Corporation would become bankrupt if the fares are not increased.

The minister said RTC vice-chairman and MD M Krishnababu would explain the details of the new fares in a day or two. The APSRTC is one of the biggest transport corporations in the country with a fleet of 10,000 buses and nearly 50,000 employees.

The RTC staff too are putting pressure on the management to clear the pending dues related to the revised PRC, uniform allowance, etc.