VISAKHAPATNAM, Jun 17:

The recent move by the Road Transport Authority (RTA) to crack down on private transport operators across the state who have Arunachal Pradesh permits has helped the AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) in terms of revenue and passenger occupancy.

The Dwarakanagar RTC Complex that operated 10 buses to Hyderabad daily is now operating 15 buses due to the high demand.

Speaking to TOI, APSRTC executive director for Vizianagaram zone, A Ramakrishna said that passenger occupancy has increased to nearly 80-85% from the normal 70-75%. The numbers are high for both AC and Non-AC buses, he added.

 

The APSRTC earns nearly Rs 75,000 to Rs 80,000 per trip per AC bus. Due to the demand, the revenue has increased to nearly Rs 90,000, said an APSRTC source.

 

The sources said that registrations of nearly 900 buses were cancelled following orders by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu. He had also asked the APSRTC officials to make alternate arrangements for passengers left in the lurch. Even transport minister K Atchannaidu was asked to oversee the arrangements to ensure that APSRTC could handle the passenger rush if several private buses went off the roads.

 

Speaking to TOI, RTA deputy transport commissioner S Venkateswara Rao said that earlier nearly 8-10 buses that had Arunachal Pradesh permit used to ply in the district. "We strictly warned the owners that they will face the music if the buses enter Visakhapatnam. Many owners from the state including Vijayawada got their buses registered in Arunachal Pradesh due to various reasons including easy registration process and low fee," Rao added.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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