The Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) Krishna region is running special services to Sabarimala for Ayyappa devotees and pilgrimage trips to East and West Godavari district to visit Siva temples on the occasion of Karthika Masam from October 27.

Devotees of Lord Siva can visit Siva temples in the one-day tour package. Pilgrims can visit Pancha-ramam temples in Bheem-avaram, Palakollu, Drak-sharamam, Samarlakota and Amaravathi from October 27.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the RTC Vijayawada regional manager, Mr K.V.R.K. Prasad, said that the RTC was running super luxury, deluxe and express services from all 14 depots in Krishna district to Sabarimala for Ayyappa devotees.

He said that the RTC had introduced a five-day tour package and the bus will pass via Srirangam, Kurthalam, Erimeli and will return via Madurai and Melamaruvattur.

Mr Prasad said that the RTC will charge Rs.31 per kilometre for super luxury buses, Rs.30 for deluxe buses and Rs.30 for express services. He said that the RTC has appointed staff in important locations in Kerala to help pilgrims in RTC buses. He said that Ayyappa devotees can contact the local depot managers in the district or central marketing cells at phone No. 99592 25475.

Mr Prasad said that special buses to Siva temples would start on Sunday and Monday from Vijayawada and other depots at 4 am and return in the night. He said that the RTC collects Rs.575 for super luxury, Rs.490 for deluxe, Rs.440 for express and Rs.360 for Palle Velugu and further information can be collected from the central marke-ting cell on the Panchara-mam special.

He said that the RTC was running another 2,000 km services to recoup the loss suffered by the organisation due to the Telangana agitation. He said that the RTC suffered a loss of Rs.6 crore due to the Telangana agitation and ran extra services to Bengaluru and Chennai.

The deputy chief traffic manager, Mr G. Nagendra Prasad, was also present.