RTC bus stations to get a facelift

Rajamahendravaram: The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) Chairman Varla Ramaiah said that plans are afoot to give a facelift to all RTC bus stations on par with airports in the state soon.

Speaking to reporters at RTC bus station here on Tuesday, he said a proposal with all details will be submitted to Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, who is interested in this regard.

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu advised the APSRTC to change the look of RTC bus stations with necessary facilities. RTC is giving top priority for passenger safety as well as safe travel in the state.

At present, the APSRTC is incurring losses for various reasons such as hike in diesel and maintenance charges. Due to hike in diesel, RTC was burdened with Rs 2,100 crore for its annual usage of 30 crore litres of diesel. Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu allocated Rs 200 crore to RTC recently and advised to find other sources to increase income.

RTC is giving its vacant sites for lease and also planning to set up petrol bunks in all RTC stations. Malls and others would come up in the bus stations to increase its income.

RTC is the biggest transport organisation in the country with 56,000 employees, 13,000 buses, 12 regions, 128 depots and transporting as many as 80 lakh passengers every day in the state, he pointed out.

APSRTC is serving the people since 1923, the Chairman said. RTC has decided to do a business of Rs 100 crore through its cargo wing which is successfully running.

“Steps will be taken to get exemption from toll tax and reduce maintenance charges. All the officials of RTC available at any time to the passengers. All the staff mainly drivers and conductors were directed to respect passengers”, he said.

RTC Vizianagaram executive director Ansari, regional manager C Ravi Kumar, chief traffic manager KN Rao and depot manager Peddiraju were present.