Increased frequency of RTC buses sought on Medchal-Sec'bad route

Secunderabad: Traveling in RTC buses from Secunderabad to Medchal is a nightmare, especially during peak hours. People have to wait for the buses for hours. Swathi, TSRTC manager at Medchal depot, said that there are over 60 buses that ply from Medchal to Secunderabad, with one bus every 3 min, and that the first service starts at 5.00 am, and the last bus is at around 10.00 pm.

However, travelers say that they have to wait for hours for buses. Rakesh, a student, says, "In the last few years, several colleges have come up in Kompally and surrounding areas and the number of passengers has increased, but the number of buses remained the same."

"The passengers traveling in buses say they wait for 30 minutes and more and the buses are jam-packed and many end up doing foot boarding," says J Raju, B Tech second-year student at CMR College.

Raju said stranded commuters run for buses, as it does not stop at bus point. RTC can ply buses at this peak hour by increasing the numbers. However, the authorities concerned turn deaf ears to the grievances.

Lately, even girls hang on footboard. "We are forced to board the loaded bus, as we run out of time," said Rohini, a B-Tech third year student at Malla Reddy College.

Ramya, an employee of a private firm, said, "The situation at Paradise Bus Stop is worse. There is no proper bus stand and no signboard, so the bus does not stop here and some buses halt meters away and we are forced to run behind the bus."