APSRTC To Issue Women Smart Cards For Free Bus Travel
7 Aug 2025 11:32 PM IST7 Aug 2025 11:32 PM IST
In the interim, they can show AP government-issued cards – Aadhaar, voter ID or ration card – to travel for free
APSRTC (Image: DC)
Visakhapatnam: APSRTC chairman Konakalla Narayana said women will be able to travel for free all over the state on the road transport corporation buses by showing AP government issued cards beginning August 15
Narayana spoke to reporters after chairing a review meeting with corporation managing director Dwaraka Tirumala Rao and Vizianagaram zone chairman Donnu Dora, senior officials and depot managers in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.
The RTC chairman said they dwelt on overcoming initial hurdles, as a large number of women are expected to board the RTC buses. He explained that bus shelters and stations are being cleaned up. Enough chairs are being arranged for women to catch the bus.
The RTC chairman said they dwelt on overcoming initial hurdles, as a large number of women are expected to board the RTC buses. He explained that bus shelters and stations are being cleaned up. Enough chairs are being arranged for women to catch the bus.
"Similarly, shock absorbers of the buses are being overhauled to carry the additional loads of passengers, mostly women. Hanging grips are being fitted to the bus roof rod and footboards are being strengthened. The present occupancy rate of 69 per cent will go up to 95 percent or more,” Narayana stated.
The free bus scheme is expected to cost the government exchequer ₹2,000 crore. Presently, the corporation is losing ₹2,000 crore annually, the RTC chairman stated.
Corporation MD Tirumala Rao said women will have to produce government-issued cards like Aadhaar, voter ID or ration card for free bus travel. Shortly, however, APSRTC will issue smart cards, which will become mandatory for free bus travel.
Likewise, he said free bus travel will not be allowed on ghat roads in the initial stages to avoid the heavy load of passengers as also keeping in view the ghat road conditions. However, women will be able to travel from one mandal to another in valleys, Tirumala Rao stated.
According to him, presently, 16 lakh women are travelling daily on RTC buses in the state. The number is expected to go up to 26 lakh after the free bus travel scheme is launched.
The corporation MD said beneficiaries can travel on Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, Express, City Ordinary and Metro Express buses.
He said the APSRTC will soon get 1,050 electric buses, half of which will arrive in the next six months. They will be mostly used in urban areas to bring down pollution. About a 100 of them will be deployed in Visakhapatnam, he added.
The free bus scheme is expected to cost the government exchequer ₹2,000 crore. Presently, the corporation is losing ₹2,000 crore annually, the RTC chairman stated.
Corporation MD Tirumala Rao said women will have to produce government-issued cards like Aadhaar, voter ID or ration card for free bus travel. Shortly, however, APSRTC will issue smart cards, which will become mandatory for free bus travel.
Likewise, he said free bus travel will not be allowed on ghat roads in the initial stages to avoid the heavy load of passengers as also keeping in view the ghat road conditions. However, women will be able to travel from one mandal to another in valleys, Tirumala Rao stated.
According to him, presently, 16 lakh women are travelling daily on RTC buses in the state. The number is expected to go up to 26 lakh after the free bus travel scheme is launched.
The corporation MD said beneficiaries can travel on Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, Express, City Ordinary and Metro Express buses.
He said the APSRTC will soon get 1,050 electric buses, half of which will arrive in the next six months. They will be mostly used in urban areas to bring down pollution. About a 100 of them will be deployed in Visakhapatnam, he added.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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