Passenger Convenience is Top Priority: Bhatti

The newly introduced RTC–Metro Common Pass enables passengers to travel more conveniently to their destinations using a single pass.

To personally review the implementation and convenience of the facility, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka travelled by both Metro Rail and an RTC bus.

Bhatti Vikramarka, along with Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar, Vivek Venkataswamy and Azharuddin, MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy, MLAs N Sri Ganesh and V Naveen Yadav, and senior officials, travelled by Metro using the Common Pass from Begumpet Metro Station to Jubilee Hills Check Post.

During the journey, the Deputy Chief Minister directly interacted with several passengers and enquired about their experience with the Common Pass. He asked whether they were facing any difficulties while switching from Metro to buses, and whether the new system had made their journey more convenient.

Passengers Welcome Common Pass

Several passengers told Bhatti Vikramarka that the Common Pass was very useful. They said the availability of RTC bus services to reach their final destination after travelling by Metro was saving them time. They also said it was convenient as they did not have to purchase a separate ticket for the next leg of their journey.

Passengers explained that the integration had also reduced the confusion they previously faced about which bus to take and which route to follow after getting down from the Metro. They said connecting Metro and RTC services was beneficial for daily commuters and would make public transport more convenient.

Interaction with Passengers

From Jubilee Hills Check Post, Bhatti Vikramarka, along with his ministerial colleagues, travelled by TGSRTC bus to the Secretariat. During the bus journey, he interacted with passengers and sought their views on the Common Pass, travel convenience and the integration of Metro and bus services.

Common Pass highly beneficial to passengers: Bhatti

Bhatti Vikramarka said the RTC–Metro Common Pass would be highly beneficial to passengers. Since the same pass can be used in a coordinated manner for both Metro and RTC bus services, it would reduce the difficulties and confusion faced by passengers while reaching their destinations, he said.

He said that women and other passengers travelling by Metro told him that the Common Pass system was convenient. He said the availability of RTC bus services after getting down from the Metro would make it easier for passengers to reach their homes, offices and other destinations.

The government’s objective is to integrate different modes of public transport and provide passengers with a seamless travel experience, Bhatti said. While Metro and RTC services have now been integrated, the government is also considering integrating other modes of transport, including auto-rickshaws and Uber, in the future, he added.

Bhatti Vikramarka thanked Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and Ponnam Prabhakar for introducing the Common Pass with the objective of enhancing passenger convenience.

Public transport to be strengthened: Ponnam

Ponnam Prabhakar said the RTC–Metro Common Pass had been introduced with the objective of making Hyderabad’s public transport system more convenient and efficient.

As passengers can use both RTC and Metro services with a single pass, the facility would save them time, effort and money, he said. Strengthening public transport is an important solution to the growing traffic congestion in the city, the Minister observed.

He said there was a need to provide coordinated and convenient RTC and Metro services to encourage people to shift from private vehicles to public transport.

To reduce the travel burden on people, the government had introduced Daily Passes, Monthly Passes and the Common Pass, Ponnam said.

He assured that the Common Pass services would be further improved based on feedback received from passengers. The government’s objective is to provide better public transport facilities that are affordable and accessible to the people, he said.

Public transport would play a crucial role in Hyderabad’s future development, traffic management and reducing the travel difficulties faced by citizens, Ponnam Prabhakar said.

Transport Department Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj, Government Advisor (Urban Transport–Metro) N.V.S. Reddy, Metro MD Sarfaraz Ahmed, Metro Additional Managing Director B. Ajith Reddy, RTC MD Nagireddy and other officials participated in the programme.