As services in Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema region continue to be affected due to the ongoing Samaikyandhra agitation, the APSRTC is planning to operate buses on the Hyderabad – Bangalore route via Raichur, Bellary and Tumkur areas temporarily from Sunday night in a bid to avoid trouble-hit Rayalaseema.
Everyday about 35 buses are operated on the Mahatma Gandhi Bus station (MGBS) - Bangalore route by APSRTC and KSRTC. But ever since the Samaikyandhra protagonists commenced agitations at different places, authorities had cancelled services on this route.
However, authorities have now decided to operate the buses via Raichur, Bellary and Tumkur route against the regular Kurnool and Anantapur route, despite the detour extending the journey by about 140 kms.
“There is demand for buses on this route and we plan to operate about 10 APSRTC and KSRTC buses everyday from Sunday night,” said a senior RTC official. It is learnt that higher authorities have also sought escort service for buses from Anantapur police and would not be collecting extra fare from passengers for operating buses on temporary detour.
Meanwhile, RTC authorities claimed operations improved fairly in Krishna, Guntur, Nellore, Ongole and Prakasham districts on Sunday, while those in East and West Godavari, Chitoor, Kadapa and Kurnool districts continued to be affected.
Compared to last few days, majority buses were operated in Krishna - Nellore region, while 40 per cent buses resumed service in East and West Godavari, Chittoor, Kadapa districts. Though buses were operated, seat occupancy was not encouraging and crecorded zero operations, said RTC Executive Director G.V. Ramana Rao.
Echoing the same, private bus operators too said though a few buses were being operated, there were not many bookings. Generally, demand for tickets increases on Sundays from those returning to the capital from Tirupati and other regions but not even 25 per cent seats were booked, informed H.S.C Bose, honorary president, A.P. Private Bus Operators Association.
