New corporate building of RTC ready for inauguration

RTC to launch new apps for smart travel

May 26, 2016 12:00 am | Updated 07:13 am IST - VIJAYAWADA:

A view of the RTC city bus station that has been spruced up for Pushkarams in Vijayawada. Photo: V. Raju

A view of the RTC city bus station that has been spruced up for Pushkarams in Vijayawada. Photo: V. Raju

Officials at the helm of the AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) are doing whatever it takes to restore people’s faith in its services.

As part of a massive ongoing passenger-friendly drive that has completely changed the face of the Pandit Nehru Bus Station, the main bus stand of the public transport giant which now looks modern, tidy and sleek, the Corporation officials have embraced technology in a big way to smarten up and woo their clients.

The construction of the RTC’s corporate office at Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS) in an area of 45,500 square feet is nearing completion. Christened as RTC House, this structure is connected to the national highway through a separate road.

The new city bus station comprising 32 platforms, set up in the wake of the forthcoming Krishna Pushkarams at a cost of Rs. 1.5 crore, is also ready.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu may open the new premises either on May 31 or on June 1, depending on his schedule.

“Unlike in the past, we don’t want to leave anything to chance and we have decided to deploy additional buses even if it means a few buses may go unused to cater to the mammoth influx of pilgrims during Pushkarams,” said RTC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director N. Sambasiva Rao.

Mobile App

The public transport company has collaborated with DreamStep Software Innovations Pvt. Ltd., a mobile app developing company, and TCS to equip itself with the wherewithal to service the commuters in smart ways. The RTC extends advance reservation facility through the Online Passenger Reservation System (OPRS) for hi-end long-distance services like Vennela, Amaravati, Garuda Plus, Garuda, Indra, Metro Luxury AC, Metro Deluxe AC, Metro Express, Super Luxury and Ultra Deluxe.

“Advance reservation facility is provided for 3,668 services and a total of 1.41 lakh seats are offered daily for advance/current reservation,” said Mr. Rao.

For people using city services, new application tools like ‘Search for Bus Stops Near Me’, ‘Track Bus by Reservation Service Number’ and ‘Search for Buses Between Two Locations (from-to) have been developed to improve services.

“Not just the passengers, these mobile apps will be of great help to the management also to track the vehicle movement and delays if there are any,” said Mr. Rao.

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