Hyderabad: While the TS Cabinet is considering a raise in the ticket fare for TSRTC buses, the percentage of the hike is yet to be decided. The previous fare hike in December 2019 saw an increase of 20 paise per kilometre and a raise of the minimum fare from Rs 5 to Rs 10.
The TS Road Transportation Corporation is incurring losses for a long time. The biggest jolts to this entity came during the Coronavirus lockdowns and the frequent raising of the fuel prices added to its woes.
According to the TSRTC, it is incurring a loss of eight crore rupees per day. The rise of prices by Rs 22 on a litre of diesel and the steady increase in the prices of spares parts causes this situation. Notably, to rescue this entity from the financial crisis, the state government sanctioned Rs 3,000 crore for TSRTC in the TS annual budget.
Commuters are hopeful the government will bear the burden rather than adding to their plight in these Covid times. Prices of every item of daily use has gone up and life has become more difficult, they say.
This transportation is mostly made use of by the lower middle class and the poor as they have no vehicle of their own. A proposal is that the governments raise the subsidy on the tax collections vis-à-vis fuel shared by the Center and the state. Since 60 per cent of this organisation’s earnings is spent on fuel, this can be of help to the TSRTC.
Paul Mark, Students JAC leader from Osmania University, said, “The entry of the new MD has raised the hopes among the employees as well the patrons of the RTC. Raising the ticket charge should not be the only option to offset the losses. Reforms should be introduced to ensure the burden does not fall on the common man. Most students as well as workers are totally dependent on this mode of transportation.”
Thomas Reddy, a union leader at TSRTC, said, “If the organisation is saved, it would save the families of the employees. The corporation spends 60 per cent of its expenditure on fuel. If a tax-exemption for the fuel comes, it will help the TSRTC.”
Managing director of the corporation, V.C. Sajjanar, told Deccan Chronicle: “As of now, there is no clear picture on how much the hike could be in the bus fare. This organisation is for the people. We will see to it that this hike does not affect the common man much.”
“Fuel prices have gone up. The prices of lubricants, tyres, spare parts have all gone up. Despite these odds, the TSRTC is seeing to it that it remains as a safer service-oriented mode of transport for the citizens.”
“There are times and places where the occupancy ratio is less. Even then, the TSRTC sees to it that it served those few who needed transportation,” he said.
