City bus commuters can look forward to more comfortable journey this summer as the Vijayawada region of the APSRTC is planning to introduce 55 luxury buses, including 15 AC services on the city roads soon. With the introduction of the new fleet, authorities are planning to operate majority of these services on the routes connecting fringe areas with core areas in the city.
These buses will be procured under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme and plans are afoot to launch a few of them on January 26. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is likely to flag off AC buses during the Republic Day celebrations. Among the 50 luxury buses that are to be introduced, 15 are AC, 10 Non- AC low-floor buses and 30 semi-floor buses. Conductors and drivers have been specially sent to Bangalore for undergoing training sessions on smooth operations and other technical aspects.
In addition, 40 more buses are expected to be introduced which are likely to be procured by March end. With the State capital coming up near the city, emphasis is being laid on connectivity between the areas on the fringes and the core areas.
A study was conducted recently and authorities are planning to operate majority of these buses on Vijayawada-Tenali, Vijayawada-Guntur, Vijayawada-Gudivada, Vijayawada- Eluru routes, said RTC Vijayawada regional manager Sudesh Kumar.
