For the convenience of passengers travelling to Shamshabad airport, APSRTC is learnt to be launching “Pushpak AC” services connecting different areas with Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) from December 15.
Authorities are planning to operate 25 buses on different routes, including Secunderabad- RGIA via L.B.Nagar, Secunderbad-RGIA via Secunderabad, S.R. Nagar- RGIA via Mehdipatnam and Kukatpally-RGIA via Outer Ring Road. Commuters can board and alight these buses at designated bus stops on all the four routes. Buses would be operated from 3 a.m. onwards till midnight and fares range between Rs.100 to Rs.200.
Though these buses are exclusively operated to airport, general commuters too can travel. Passengers would have to pay for the distance travelled on a particular route. For instance, if a passenger boards a bus from Keyes High School to L.B.Nagar, he would be charged for that distance and not the entire route fare, explains RTC Greater Hyderabad zone Executive Director A. Koteswara Rao.
On the advantages of operating these buses, Mr. Rao says that unlike Aero Express buses, in which only airport passengers were permitted to travel, these buses would accommodate all passengers, irrespective of the bus stop they alight. “This would help us in generating more revenue. Further, the maximum fare is Rs.200 per head against Rs. 230 charged in Aero Express buses,” says Mr.Rao. This apart, for the benefit of commuters, RTC is coming up with a monthly special Pushpak AC bus pass costing Rs.2,000. These pass holders are eligible to travel in all the city buses.
