While there is uncertainty over the quantum of hike in student bus pass fares, the APSRTC’s Greater Hyderabad Zone is making elaborate arrangements for issuing student bus passes.
The RTC authorities had recommended that the government raise the rates of student general bus ticket (SGBT) from Rs. 85 to Rs. 220 a month and quarterly SGBT from Rs. 240 to Rs. 660. They also called for an increase in route pass fares.
Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports said that the government had approved the hike in monthly SGBT fares from Rs. 85 to Rs. 130, mofussil passes from Rs. 180 to Rs. 270 and route passes (up to 4 km) from Rs. 85 to Rs. 130.
“But we are yet to receive official orders. It is inevitable, and we are expecting an official announcement shortly,” said A. Koteswara Rao, Executive Director, Greater Hyderabad Zone, APSRTC, at a press conference on Tuesday.
Over 4.5 lakh student bus passes are issued through 18 bus pass centres. Fares were last revised in 1999, and the RTC has been seeking a hike citing increase in operational costs, said Mr. Rao.
The forms for monthly/quarterly SGBT’s will be received from 21 to 29 of every month and student route passes from 10 to 19.
Applications for student free passes will be accepted from June 10 to September 30, and passes will be distributed 10 days from date of receipt of applications.
Meanwhile, the physically challenged can submit applications at Sanathnagar, Mehdipatnam, Dilsukhnagar, Koti and Rathifile centres.