The RTC Board on Wednesday approved purchase of 765 buses in the current financial year.
The State government sanctioned ₹200 crore to the Corporation to augment its fleet.
The crucial Board meeting also decided to strengthen the vehicle tracking system, introduced three years back. Sources said the officials felt that it was an expensive preposition to extend it to all vehicles but the Corporation should go ahead with it since it would help the clients track the movement of buses they opt to travel from. “The idea is to embrace customer-friendly approach even if it means inconvenience monetarily,” said RTC Chairman Varla Ramaiah.
Introduction of eco-friendly electric buses in the temple town of Tirupati was a tentative decision. The members were said to have expressed the need to combat pollution by opting for them.
Reports had been doing rounds about the Corporation’s intention to bring in such vehicles. They operate on battery with no fuel emission and will reduce noise and air pollution.
The officials in the past referred to the plans of operating these buses from Vijayawada city to Gannavaram airport, from airport to the Secretariat in Velagapudi and from the airport to Guntur. The air-conditioned luxury buses would be electrically charged.
The Modi government is keen on enabling a shift towards electric vehicles for public transport and use of non-fossil fuel for powering vehicles. It decided to extend 50% of the funds to States selected for implementation of the mode.
