The State government has directed the Transport Department officials to take steps to ensure that the entire fleet of the State-owned Road Transport Corporation buses resumes operations.
Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar directed the officials to see that the tickets are issued to passengers without fail while the bus passes granted to different sections are honoured by the conductors. Efforts should also be made to supply ticket issue machines to all conductors at the earliest, he said.
The Minister conducted a video-conference with senior officials and district Collectors to review the situation arising out of the indefinite strike launched by the TSRTC employees unions which entered the 17th day on Monday. The review was conducted in the light of reopening of schools and other educational institutions. He wanted the officials to ensure that required number of mechanics and electricians are deployed in the depots wherever necessary. Officials informed the Minister that there are no problems in operating the buses and the transport sector remained unaffected, by and large, in spite of the indefinite strike.
In all, 71.77% buses, accounting to 5,228 of the total fleet, were plying on the roads till Monday morning. Of these, 3,633 were TSRTC owned buses and 1,595 hired buses. Rangareddy district reported plying of 98% of buses while the State capital stood at the lowest with 43% buses operational. Secunderabad was little above the State capital with 46% buses operational.
