APSRTC Unions Step Up Stir Against Electric Bus Privatisation

RTC JAC conveners Y. Srinivasa Rao and Palisetti Damodara Rao announced the agitation schedule after a meeting of employees' unions at Revenue Bhavan in Vijayawada. They said the protests were aimed at protecting APSRTC, strengthening the public transport system and safeguarding employees' legitimate interests.

The leaders alleged that the government was permitting private operators to enter the sector under the electric bus programme while leasing valuable APSRTC depot land to them. They claimed that despite repeated representations seeking the operation of all electric buses by APSRTC, the government had failed to respond, forcing employees to intensify their agitation.

According to the JAC, four depots have already been handed over to private operators for the operation of 1,050 electric buses. It further alleged that 50 per cent of the land at eight more depots was being allotted to private firms and that another 29 depots were being prepared to accommodate 1,450 additional electric buses. The JAC claimed these developments indicated a plan to hand over all APSRTC buses and depots to private entities by 2029.

As part of the agitation, employees will observe APSRTC Protection Days on July 7 and 8 by wearing badges while on duty. They will seek support from public representatives across political parties from July 9 to 18. A State-wide signature campaign will be conducted from July 19 to 26, followed by the submission of petitions to the Chief Minister through district collectors on July 27. A State-level JAC meeting on July 30 will decide the third phase of the agitation.