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Hop On Hop Off buses get makeover; hit roads again
The ‘Hop on Hop off’ bus service, designed to cover historic and tourist destinations, was relaunched on June 2 by deploying plush buses painted in red and with stickers of popular monuments.
Hyderabad: The ‘Hop on Hop off’ bus service, designed to cover historic and tourist destinations, was relaunched on June 2 by deploying plush buses painted in red and with stickers of popular monuments.
The buses have huge glass windows. The service was first launched in 2013, but discontinued due to lack patronage. Now with the makeover, the Telangana State Tourism is back in business.
“There was a time when we used to run the service even with a handful of tourists in the past, but now things are looking up,” said a Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) official. B Manohar, Executive Director, TSTDC, said, “The buses are bright, the glass windows, which were previously to waist length, now are bigger making it possible for people to have a full view whilst travelling. The good word is spreading and people are getting attracted.”
The buses start at Lumbini Park and cover tourist destinations such as Birla Mandir, Salarjung Museum, Nizam’s Museum, Charminar, Mecca Masjid, Laad Bazaar, Chowmohallal Palace, Zoo, Golconda Fort, Qutub Shahi Tombs and return to Lumbini Park. The tariff is Rs 200.
A few years back just one or two buses were operated for tourists, but now on an average two to three out of the four buses are used and on weekends all the buses are on the roads. An official said that the occupancy was optimum in June and July.
Debomitra, a tourist who used the bus service said, “I have travelled to quite a few cities in India as well as abroad. The buses are very well maintained and cover all major destinations.”
The buses were redesigned and customized to specifications. “The 20-seater buses are spacious and there is more leg room. One can also book online and a number of tourists are availing the facility”, said an official.
