The TSRTC plans to operate over 4,000 buses transporting devotees to the famous Sammakka-Sarakka jatara at Medaram village that would be held between January 31 and February 3.
New fares from 53 locations across the state have been finalised.
The buses would ply from January 30 to February 4. Accordingly, the charge for an Express bus from Hyderabad to Medaram would be ₹360 per head (₹190 for children); from Hanamkonda ₹160 per head (₹90 for children).
For a Super Luxury bus, the charge has been fixed at ₹470 from Hyderabad and ₹210 from Hanamkonda.
The fare for Rajadhani and Vajra services would be ₹630 from Hyderabad and ₹290 from Hanamkonda.
TSRTC regional manager T.S. Surya Kiran told The Hindu that the corporation would earn about ₹30 crore from the exclusive services to Medaram. The fares were just enough to meet the expenditure incurred, he said.
“The buses will be full on the way to Medaram, but empty on the return journey. The special operations would serve the lakhs of people arriving at Medaram from different directions,” he explained.
According to him, the TSRTC transports about 30 lakhs devotees every year, but was targeting to serve 44 lakh people, the largest number of devotees visiting the tribal fair.
The RTC has been setting up a sprawling 30 acre bus stand at the Medaram village while setting up parking places en route at several places between Hanamkonda and Medaram.
“In addition to the services announced, we will keep about 200 to 400 buses in standby for any exigency,” Mr. Surya Kiran said.
The TSRTC Warangal region has procured 520 buses from Karimnagar, 380 from Khammam, 250 from Secunderabad, 100 from Ranga Reddy and 50 from Medak besides utilizing its own 2,150 buses.
The RTC will also operate direct services from Sironcha in Maharashtra, from where they expect many pilgrims.
“This is a big exercise. During the main days, we will transport nearly 2.61 lakh people in a single day by operating 3,300 trips.
Per hour, about 11,000 passengers will be transported with an hourly frequency of 450 buses. This is a record breaking event indeed,” the regional manager explained.
This year, the government has allocated ₹2.45 crores towards making arrangements for the jatara.
A detailed plan of action is being drawn for the purpose and to ensure better amenities for the passengers, the official said.
