Fall in fuel prices, increased occupancy and a series of holidays seem to have helped the APSRTC generate additional revenue this season.
Post-bifurcation, there were apprehensions about the corporation’s future, but things appear to be on track now. “Last month, the corporation generated an additional revenue of Rs. 30 crore compared to the same period last year, and during the first 20 days of this month, an additional revenue of Rs. 7 crore was generated,” RTC Executive Director A. Venkateswara Rao said.
Officials are now focused on streamlining the system by operating more services and ensuring punctuality. “The reduction in diesel prices was a blessing. Fuel price has come down by nearly Rs. 12 per litre, and after disbursing salaries, fuel expenditure amounts to just 40 per cent of the total expenditure,” he said during the APSRTC’s Road Safety celebrations here on Saturday.
RTC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director N. Sambasiva Rao said the corporation was paying nearly Rs. 50 crore towards compensation to accident victims every year. Maintaining that it had to be brought down substantially, he promised drivers that the quantum of compensation reduced every year would be utilised for their welfare.
Speaking after presenting the Best Driver Awards, Transport Minister Sidda Raghava Rao ruled out reports of privatisation of the Corporation and said the government would extend all support for its development. Meanwhile, officials said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu would flag off 100 new buses during the Republic Day celebrations in Vijayawada. Of these, 30 buses, including 11 AC buses, will be added to the Vijayawada region’s fleet.
