RTC AC buses make hay while sun shines

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation, which is operating 228 AC buses, was registering more than 70 per cent occupancy ratio (OR) this summer due to very good response from the bus passengers.

The RTC is operating AC buses between all important cities in the state and to other cities like Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka from various parts of the state. As the sultry weather continues, the RTC is able to maintain more than 70 per cent OR till now this season. 

The OR in Amaravati buses is 70 per cent, Garuda buses is 70 per cent, Garuda plus buses is 70 per cent, Indra buses is 74 per cent, Vennela buses 94 per cent.

Due to sultry weather, the bus passengers particularly travelling between the cities like Vijayawada and Hyderabad, Vijayawada and Vizag, Vijayawada and Bengaluru opts for AC buses. Though there is a huge response from the passengers for the AC buses, the RTC has not decided to change the present fixed charges system to flexi fares system, which is very common among the private travels.

Like the fares of airlines, some private operators choose flexi fares, where the price of the ticket depends on the demand. During the festival seasons like Sankranti and Dasara a large number of people living in Telangana come to their native places in coastal districts.

So, these private bus operators fleece the bus passengers collecting nearly double the price. But, the RTC has decided to stick the existing fixed charge system, said a senior officer, supervising the state operations. So far, no decision has been taken to switch on to flexi fares system, he added. 

The APSRTC is increasing the services every year. The corporation has ordered for another 100 AC buses. The RTC is charging Rs 1.16 per km for the super luxury Non-Ac buses.

The corporation is collecting fares of Rs 1.99 per km for Amaravati AC buses, Rs 1.70 per km for Garuda buses, Rs 1.46 for Indra services, Rs 1.82 for Garuda plus and finally Rs 2.65 for Vennela sleeper coach. Vennela buses have a huge demand with 94 per cent occupancy ratio this summer. The sleeper bus has 24 berths.