HYDERABAD: Smart cards, which could be used to make payments for use of all transport systems- buses, trains, metro rail etc, as part of ensuring last mile connectivity, is not likely to take off as Hyderabad Metro Rail makes its inaugural run in November. “We tried to come up with a smart access card for all the three transporting systems, but due to lack of interest from other sides and the requirement for heavy investments we were unable to work on it,” said a senior TSRTC official on Wednesday.
He said that the cash strapped Corporation was ready for a major revamp by integrating the new system, but there was no further response from Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd (HMRL) and South Central Railway.
RTC to run additional services for Metro The TSRTC is gearing up to ply at least 35 additional buses in each corridor to provide hassle-free journey for commuters across the Metro rail corridors. “Plans are being chalked out to introduce radial services connecting Metro rail station from various residential colonies and educational institutions within the radius of 6 to 10 kms to improve connectivity,” said a official.
Under Phase-I of the project, the HMR is planning to start the services between Nagole - Ameerpet and Miyapur - Ameerpet. Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao is likely to seek appointment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the Metro rail in November second week.
Metro Rail unlikely to affect RTC
Officials of the cash-strapped TSRTC Greater Hyderabad zone are confident that first two corridors of the Metro rail will not affect their seat occupancy ratio of RTC. “So far, we do not have any direct operations between Nagole and Miyapur. There are only 10 services from Uppal to Secunderabad and 22 service between Secunderabad and Miyapur. So this corridors will initially not affect our occupancy ratio,” said A Purushotham Naik, executive director, TSRTC Greater Hyderabad zone. He said that these 32 buses will be redeployed to other routes on other potential corridors.
At present the Zone is operating 760 bus services from LB Nagar and 940 services from Miyapur to various destinations and there are no immediate plans to reduce the fleet, as we provide point-to-point service, he said.No bus bay, parking facility for buses at Metro Stns
RTC’s Greater Hyderabad zone officials have confirmed that the HMRL did not earmark exclusive bus bay or parking slot for RTC services. “Though it was in our regular consultation with for earmarking adequate space of RTC buses, except Ameerpet — SR Nagar and Mettuguda, the Metro Rail authorities failed to show separate parking or bus bay for our buses,” a senior official said.