RTC All Set To Push Up Bus Fares

Following the increase in the diesel prices, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is all set to increase the bus fares.

In an informal chat with the media persons at Bus Bhavan here on Friday, RTC Managing Director AK Khan said that the hike in diesel prices by Rs. 5 per litre would put an additional burden on the RTC by Rs. 350 crores. Presently, the RTC is spending Rs. 2,500 crores per annum on diesel. However, the present hike would increase the spending on the diesel by nearly 15% including taxes and other levies.

Khan said that the RTC Board would study the impact of the diesel price hike and would take a decision on the increasing the fares. However, he said that the hike in fares would be imminet to prevent the corporation from further losses.

When asked about the RTC exploring the option of introducing battery-operated and CNG buses, he said that both the options cannot be implemented in the near future. Regarding CNG, he said that the corporation should get a clear assurance on the supply of the required quantity for its fleet and an affordable rate should be fixed for the same. Else, it would be unwise for corporation to convert its buses from diesel to CNG. Similarly, battery-operated buses too would be costlier as the cost of setting up recharge centres was too high. However, he said that the RTC would explore the option of using solar-panel buses in future.

Khan said that the strikes, bank interests, DA increments and maintenance costs have already pushed the RTC into financial crisis and the present hike in diesel prices has forced the corporation to take immediate decisions to overcome the crisis. (INN)