Launched with great intentions to provide hassle free public
transport for the people of old city , APSRTC purchased 100 mini buses in
February 2011. APSRTC, then had no idea that the buses would be a flop. These
buses now run with a loss of Rs 12 per Km
About 100 buses (50
TATA-Marcopolo –Star bus & 50 Ashok Leyland Stag) were procured to run on
the narrow streets of old city.
Courtesy: The Hindu.
This is what happens when things are done with out planning
much. APSRTC officials bought 100 buses in a hurry to introduce them under the Chief
Minister’s 100 day program. At first RTA
officials from Hyderabad district denied to register the vehicles as they did
not meet the emission norms of the city. Then APSRTC officials somehow managed
to register the vehicles in Rangareddy district.
TATA-MARCOPOLO STAR BUS
APSRTC officials were apprehensive about the success of
theses buses as the mini buses introduced some years back in other parts of the
city did not have much response. The buses were introduced in a hurry with out
proper route survey and the result was devastating. The occupancy ratio was very
less.
A survey was conducted then and it revealed that people
mistook the mini buses to private buses because of the GREEN color. Then, the
buses were repainted with red to make them look like ordinary buses. This yielded some results and brought in some problems
like the only narrow entry/exit door in front. APSRTC now has plans to widen
the doors/remove the door shutters to increase the place for people to get in/out.
APSRTC did not consider the usage of mini buses as the
average earning per bus is much lesser for mini buses when compared with the
normal buses and the functional aspects like less space for standing and the
single door entry/exit. But some how, they got in to this. These buses are
bringing in more losses to the corporation which is already running on losses.
APSRTC should have taken a look at the SETWIN buses. These
mini buses are more functional than that purchased by APSRTC.
ASHOK LEYLAND-STAG
“ALOCHINCHAKUNDA BUSSULU KONADAM ENDUKU VATIKI MANGALI
PANULU CHEYYADAM ENDUKU”
