VIJAYAWADA: Despite surge in diesel price, the AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has no plans to increase bus fares. This was informed by Transport Minister K Atchannaidu here on Wednesday.
He along with APSRTC vice-chairman and managing director NV Surendra Babu flagged off the second phase of 10 new Amaravati air conditioned buses at Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS) here.
“Despite increase in diesel price by Rs 15 per litre in last three years, RTC has never proposed to burden the passengers by increasing the fare. Instead, we are examining to provide VAT exemption on diesel for Pallevelugu buses,” Atchannaidu said.
The Transport Minister informed that the corporation’s revenue loss had been reduced by `340.23 crore. The revenue loss of the corporation as on February 2018 stands at `480.53crore as compared to last year’s figure of `820.53 crore. The minister said measures were taken to make RTC profitable in the coming years.
Instructions were given to the officials concerned to scrap circular 7 which was issued for terminating the services of employees in the corporation, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Surendra Babu said that the RTC was operating 54 Amaravati buses on inter city routes to provide hassle-free journey for passengers. “This year, 19 new buses will be included into the fleet as the brand ‘Amaravati’ is evoking good response from passengers. Plans are also afoot to operate buses from each district centre in the coming months,” he said.APSRTC executive directors A Venkateswara Rao, G Koteswara Rao, A Koteswara Rao, Krishna regional manager PV Rama Rao were present.
