Auto drivers make merry as RTC buses do Medaram duty

It is fleecing time for the auto rickshaw drivers in the twin cities. With only 4,000 buses on duty for the Medaram Jathra out of the 11,000 odd buses of the Telanagana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC), auto rickshaw drivers seem to have hit a purple patch.

Daily commuters complain about the lack of RTC buses and as a result there is heavy rush at the bus stops. The RTC is expecting upto 20 lakh pilgrims this time around and has pressed into service the 4,000 buses. The last time, which was two years back, the then APSRTC transported upto 16 lakh pilgrims from the 23 districts.

The worst hit are office goers. Swapna, a resident of Tarnaka said, “The buses are always crowded but now it is impossible to travel due to heavy rush. Auto rickshaw drivers demand triple the amount than the usual fare. Even the drivers who recognise daily travellers do not relent.”

A resident of Langar Houz, Rahman, software professional said, “It is daylight robbery. There is no one to question the auto rickshaw drivers. With no other option, we shell out anywhere between Rs 50-70 even for short distances.”

This time around, the TSRTC has entrusted the workload to 11,000 employees including drivers, supervisors, mechanics, officers and conductors to meet the rush and 51 traffic points have been allotted. The State Government has granted Rs 1.92 cr to the corporation for the arrangements.