The RTC Governorpet Depot-II launched three new Metro Deluxe services from the Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS), Vijayawada and Machilipatnam on Thursday.
Plying three bus services between the two destinations is part of the Bus Rapid Transit System project of the APSRTC and the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation under the JNNURM.
“The three busses are being plied from the PNBS to Machilipatnam Bus Terminus and Machilipatnam Collectorate everyday. Employees from various government departments and people now can access direct bus service from Collectorate,” Governorpet Depot-II Manager I. Suresh Babu told The Hindu .
According to the schedule at the PNBS, the first bus would depart at 6 a.m. to Machilipatnam and the second service will start at 8 a.m. to Machilipatnam Collectorate. The last bus would leave the PNBS at 2.45 p.m. From Machilipatnam, passengers can access the service at 5 p.m. from Machilipatnam Collectorate. Having limited stops, the metro service fare is Rs. 58 and journey time is maximum of 1 hour 45 minutes.
“All the necessary arrangements including co-ordination among respective bus depots on the route have been made to continue the services,” said Mr. Suresh Babu. Andhra Bank staff L.V.S. Kameswara Rao who took the first-day journey on the Metro services said “The first bus service connecting Machilipatnam Collectorate is very helpful in promising better bus connectivity with Vijayawada city. It will also be greatly helpful for teachers and many government employees to save their journey time, who regularly commute”.