The APSRTC has decided to hike bus fares following the meeting between the employees’ union and the RTC management that resulted in a 24% rise in pay scale for the employees. The following are the respective hikes in fares per km, per type of bus:
46 paise per km for ordinary buses
54 paise per km for Express buses
60 paise per km for deluxe buses
70 paise per km for super luxury
85 paise per km for Meghdoot AC
Rs. 1.25 per km for Volvo buses
In addition, City buses will charge passengers Rs. 5 for upto 4km, and Rs. 7 for upto 10 km. Express services will cost Rs. 2 over ordinary fare.
CM Rosaiah is currently meeting the AP Transport Minister S Vijayarama Raju as the decision to hike fares was made without seeking the state government’s approval.
The corporation is facing huge losses owing to the damage to buses and to halt in services during the agitations across Telangana, Andhra and Seema. In addition, the proposed pay revision will cause further financial burden.
The decision has invited the ire of the common citizen all over the state. People have already been put to great pains over the Telangana riots over the past month, and increase in fares of public transport will lead to a steep increase in the average cost of living.
Politicians were quick to cry foul as well. TDP Politburo member Yerrannaidu said it was foolish of the RTC to expect to increase revenues by impacting lives of the common man. He suggested that efforts be made to take all stakeholders' opinions into account and reach a consensus over how much the fare must be hiked.
filed in:APSRTC, Bus Strike, Employee Union, RTC Wage Hike, RTC Bus Fare Hike