RTC invites tenders for hiring 350 electric buses in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: As part of the efforts to introduce eco-friendly electric buses in various parts of the state, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) began the process for hiring 350 electric buses.

The RTC with the support of the Union government is planning to introduce 1,000 electrical buses in the state to reduce pollution levels in the important routes like Vijayawada-Gannavaram, Vijayawada-Mangalagiri, Tirupati-Tirumala.

These 350 green buses will be in addition to the 2,500 hire buses and 7,000 own buses being run by the corporation now. Another 650 electric buses will be introduced in a phased manner. The Central government will give subsidy to the state for the operating electric buses.

The RTC conducted a pre-bid meeting on Thursday for inviting tenders. The participants have to submit technical bid by October 14, financial bid by November 1 and reverse tending on November 6. According to information, 18 companies participated in the pre-bid meeting organised by the RTC officials.

On the other hand, the RTC employees are opposing the decision of the corporation to hire electrical buses. The Employees JAC general secretary P Damodar said the JAC was not against the electric buses but was opposing the hiring them.

He said the government was trying to merge RTC with the government on one hand and was encouraging hiring of buses on the other hand, which was not good. The routes in which electrical buses are proposed to be plied include Vijayawada-Gudivada-Bhimavaram, Vijayawada-Gannavaram-Hanuman Junction, Jaggaihpet-Machilipatnam, Nuzvid-Kodada-Amaravati, Vijayawada-Mangalagiri, Tirupati-Tirumala, Visakha-Yalamanchili-Bhimili. Kakinada-Rajamahendravaram-Amalapuram and some other routes in the state.