TSRTC asks AP too increase bus fares

By Our Special Correspondent

The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC), which has been burdening passengers by raising ticket prices on long-distance routes, has now asked the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) to increase fares on inter-state buses operating in Telangana. It may be mentioned here that the passenger congestion in APSRTC buses has increased significantly after the recent hike in prices by the Telangana Transport Corporation.

Currently, TSRTC operates 550 international buses to Andhra Pradesh, while its counterpart operates 450 international buses to Telangana. According to sources, the APSRTC may accept the Telangana suggestion and increase ticket fares on inter-state buses. Sources said that the management will take a decision on this soon. Asking the APSRTC management to increase the ticket fares, TSRTC officials said that according to the interstate agreement, the bus fares and the number of buses plying between the two states should be equal.

A week ago, TSRTC hiked bus fares on rural light, express, deluxe, super luxury and capital buses depending on the distance. An additional cess of up to Rs 170 is levied on passengers traveling more than 500 km on AC buses. Similarly, prices of express and super luxury buses have gone up by Rs 90 and Rs 130 per ticket respectively. Due to this action travelers prefer to travel through APSRTC to destinations like Vijayawada, Eluru, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, and Kurnool.

Compared to the Hyderabad-Vijayawada ticket fare on super luxury buses, TSRTC charges Rs 504 for adults and Rs 367 for APSRTC buses.