Andhra Pradesh: Revenues Of RTC Cargo Services Receive A Boost In Rayalaseema Zone
The Focused efforts over the past few years to strengthen goods transportation have yielded impressive results: Officials
KADAPA: State-run APSRTC buses are bustling not only with passengers but have also witnessed a significant surge in revenue through its cargo services and parcel consignments. In Rayalaseema zone, cargo operations have emerged as a key income stream for the corporation.
Officials stated that focused efforts over the past few years to strengthen goods transportation have yielded impressive results.
Rayalaseema zone, headquartered in Kadapa, covers eight districts carved out of the erstwhile Kurnool, Anantapur, Kadapa, and Chittoor districts. The zone is currently generating average monthly revenue of ₹5.50 crore through cargo services, a notable achievement.
There are around 1,200 to 1,300 services operated in each district, with cargo facilities being provided on all routes depending on demand.
Rayalaseema Zone Cargo Services chief general manager (CGM) M. Gopinath said, “Compared to private operators, APSRTC offers lower tariffs and ensures timely delivery of parcels. These advantages have contributed to the steady growth of our cargo services, which are now a reliable revenue source for the corporation.”
Across the eight Rayalaseema districts, there are seven major bus depots actively handling operations. On average, over 70,000 parcels are delivered every month through RTC services. Officials noted that the figures recorded in June are among the highest in the state.
A trader from Tirupati, N. Madhusudhan Gupta, who regularly uses RTC cargo services, said, “RTC cargo charges are lower compared to private parcel services. Deliveries are prompt. I have been consistently sending my business consignments through RTC for the past three years.”
In the interim, with the Stree Shakti scheme of AP government offering free bus travel for women in RTC buses, the occupancy levels have exceeded 90 per cent across the state. Despite the heavy passenger load, RTC has been able to successfully expand its parcel services.
Officials estimate that in the Rayalaseema region alone, nearly 6 to 7 crore parcels are transported annually. Their number is expected to grow further. A senior RTC official from the Kadapa region said, “We are planning to extend cargo services into more categories of goods in the coming years across all regions across the state.”