Perni Nani Says RTC Being Privatised Under Guise of E-Buses
YSRCP leader says RTC is being weakened to favour private operators
Vijayawada: YSR Congress leader and former minister Perni Venkatramaiah, popular as Perni Nani, on Sunday accused Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of once again attempting to privatise APSRTC under the pretext of introducing electric buses and implementing the free bus travel scheme for women.
Addressing media in Machilipatnam, Perni Nani alleged that Chandrababu Naidu has always posed a threat to RTC whenever the latter is in power. He charged the coalition government with deliberately weakening the corporation to eventually hand over its operations to private players.
The former minister alleged that the TDP supremo had tried to privatise RTC in 2004. But the move had been halted after Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy became the chief minister of AP.
Claiming RTC had been left with liabilities of nearly Rs 9,000 crore in 2019, Perni Nani said the YSRC government reduced that debt substantially. RTC had been given the status of a government department, and the 55,000 RTC employees became government employees.
The YSRC leader said the previous government led by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had successfully introduced and operated 100 electric buses, including services for Tirumala. But now, Chandrababu Naidu is planning privatisation of APSRTC in the guise of introducing new electric buses.
APSRTC clarifies that e- buses will not lead to privatisation
Introduction of electric buses under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme will not lead to privatisation or cause loss of employment, APSRTC management clarified on Saturday.
In a statement, the corporation management described as misleading reports circulating that the induction of electric buses under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model will lead to privatisation.
The management pointed out that the GCC model is not new. 100 electric buses had been introduced under the FAME-II Scheme in 2021 and are continuing to operate successfully on the Tirupati-Tirumala and other routes.
APSRTC disclosed that Andhra Pradesh has been allotted 750 electric buses under the PM e-Bus Sewa Scheme, while another 300 buses have been sanctioned for the Tirupati-Tirumala Green Corridor project. At the same time, the centre is extending substantial financial support for charging and maintenance infrastructure.
The corporation maintained that electric buses would help reduce pollution, fuel expenses and maintenance costs, while improving passenger comfort and operational efficiency.
Clarifying employees’ concerns, APSRTC reiterated that no staff member would lose employment due to the GCC model or electric bus introduction. It underlined that the corporation will continue to retain complete control over routes, fares, and public transport services, while ensuring employee welfare and better services to passengers across Andhra Pradesh.
