RTC reduces losses by 300 cr

Vijayawada: Transport minister K Atchannaidu along with officials of APRoad Transport Corporation (APSRTC) flagged off nine new air-conditioned buses at Pandit Nehru Bus Station here on Monday. 

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the  APSRTC purchased Volvo buses at a cost of Rs 13.50 crore. He said that state government would provide Palle Velugu buses for hassle-free journey and had allocated Rs 200 crore to purchase the same. For reimbursement of small dues, Rs 290 crore was granted to the corporation in addition, he said.

He said that occupancy in buses has increased by about seven per cent with the efforts of the employees by adopting technology. The minister further said the APSRTC had reduced losses by more than Rs 300 crore this year.

APSRTC vice-chairman and managing director M Malakondaiah said six buses are allocated to Vijayawada and three to Visakhapatnam. In addition, 19 Amaravati A/c buses and 16 Garuda A/c buses will be added to the existing fleet this year. Nine buses were inaugurated and the remaining will be added in phases, he said.

Irrigation minister Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao, mayor Koneru Sreedhar, APSRTC executive directors A Venkateswara Rao, G Jaya Rao and others were also present.