Tirupati: Passengers' flow rises in RTC services

Tirupati: The number of passengers is gradually increasing in RTC which resumed its bus services on May 21 following relaxation of lockdown restrictions by the government. The passenger number was about 10,000 on the first day on May 21 and has increased to about 21,500 on May 29 indicating significant increase in the passenger flow.

The APSRTC Chittoor region, responding to passengers' requests, started long distance bus services to Vizag, East, Godavari, West Godavari, Krishna and Guntur districts and also AC bus services to various places including Vijayawada. The Region is planning to increase the number of routes. About a week ago, it operated its services in 22 routes and it wants to increase the routes to 68 which include 12 long distance routes and expecting more number of passengers.

Railway have not yet resumed passenger train services due to nationwide lockdown. The region also increased the `booking points' from 64 to 164. Besides, 7 reservation points are also functioning including Tirupati, the regional head quarter.

A senior official said all the precautionary measures as per Covid-19 guidelines are being implemented at all deports including maintaining social distance between passengers.

It has provided about 20000 masks to the running staff and also working in all bus stations, sanitisation equipment and taking up the sanitation and cleaning up of bus stations premises. The buses are also being sanitised before and after the completion of trips.