Determined to outsmart their arch rivals, the private transport operators, who have been eating into a major chunk of their revenue, officials of AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) are rolling out a new scheme each day to entice commuters.
After wooing clients by renovating the Pandit Nehru Bus Station with modern facilities and rolling out a fleet of new premium air-conditioned buses under the brand name Amaravati, it is time to pamper them with chocolate and mint!
From Friday (January 5), the Corporation authorities have started offering a chocolate and a mint to people travelling by Amaravati buses. “This is to make the commuters feel welcomed,” says P.V. Rama Rao, Regional Manager, RTC, Vijayawada zone.
Currently, the Corporation is operating seven Amaravati buses to Hyderabad, six to Bengaluru and two to Visakhapatnam.
Amaravati bus service is in addition to the existing Garuda, Garuda plus, Vennela, Indra, Super Luxury, Deluxe and Express services.
To cut down on fuel expenditure, the State-run public transport giant plans to bring into use eco-friendly bio-diesel.
Mr. Rama Rao said the bio-diesel storage equipment had been fitted at the depot and initially, it would be used for buses in five depots—Governorpet, Vuyyuru, Gudivada, Gannavaram and Jaggaiahpet.
The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had issued a gazette notification in August last year allowing transporters to run buses on biodiesel from 20 per cent blend to 100 per cent. The Karnataka State Transport buses became the first to run buses on biodiesel after the Centre’s order.
Fuel blended with 10 per cent biodiesel are said to reduce pollutants like carbon monoxide, particulate matter and un-burnt hydrocarbons to a considerable extent. “Moreover, we would be able to save Rs. 3 on each litre,” explained Mr. Rama Rao.
Alert sounded
The authorities have sounded alert to the RTC crew, especially those operating buses at night time, in view of the Tuni incident. “We have asked our drivers to park vehicles close to police stations at night time to avoid any risk,” said Mr. Rama Rao.
