APSRTC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director A.K.Khan on Monday reiterated that metro rail was not a competition to the bus services. “It is a misconception among many that the metro rail would affect RTC adversely, but that is not the case,” he said.
While the metro rail would be operated in three corridors of the twin cities, the demand for public transportation services keeps increasing every year particularly on the fringes and metro rail cannot be taken to all corners. “This is where the RTC could play a crucial role”, he explained.
“APSRTC and metro rail should work in association than competing against each other. Our services would have to be reoriented,” observed Mr. Khan, while addressing media persons on the sidelines of launching a new super luxury bus fabricated at the RTC Bus Body Building Unit in Miyapur.
After purchasing bus chassis from different companies, RTC fabricates about 50 buses, including city ordinary, metro express, Palle Velugu and other buses per month at the unit. The super luxury bus body was being fabricated at the unit for the first time helping reduce cost.
About 2,000 new buses would be purchased this financial year and priority would be to provide connectivity to 4,000 villages lacking the service, he informed.
APSRTC V-C and MD A.K. Khan on Monday hinted on the need to increase the fares of bus passes – students and employees.