The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has announced a steep hike in passenger fares on Sunday.
Coming a day after the monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly was adjourned sine die, the new fares are set to impose a burden on the poor and middle classes, as the RTC management has restricted the hike to Palle Velugu, Express, Deluxe and Super Luxury services, used extensively by these sections.
The revised fares, ranging from 5 to 12 per cent, will come into effect from Sunday midnight. The per kilometre fare in Palle Velugu buses has been revised from 50 paise to 55 paise and in respect of Express buses, it will be 72 paise, against the existing 62 paise. Fares in Deluxe buses will be enhanced from 70 paise a kilometre to 80 paise, while it will increase by 12 paise a kilometre, from 82 to 94 paise for Super Luxury services.
The State-owned corporation announced “flexifare” model for high end services such as Vennela (sleeper), Garuda Plus, Indra and Sheetal, all air-conditioned services. APSRTC vice-chairman and managing director A.K. Khan said the hike had become inevitable as the recent steep rise in diesel prices had imposed an additional burden of Rs. 357.75 crore on the corporation.
Khan justifies hike
He justified the hike claiming that the increase would be Re. 1 in ordinary buses (Palle Velugu) up to a distance of 25 km, while it would be Rs. 2 for distances of 45 km. In respect of city services, the increase was between Re. 1 and 2, while it would be Rs. 3 for some stages.
