75% of APSRTC fleet to be used for free bus travel scheme, says Minister
Speaking to the media, the Minister said that almost 75% of the fleet of over 11,000 buses available in the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) would be utilised for implementation of the scheme in an effective way. These categories of buses include Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, Luxury buses and Metro or City Service buses.
'Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is very particular that there should be no hurdles once the scheme comes into effect and keeping that in mind, we are trying to procure new buses,' he said, adding that nearly 1,400 electric buses will be added to the APSRTC fleet soon.
The Minister held a review meeting with the APSRTC officials in the Rayalaseema districts to take stock of the situation in view of the proposed launch of the scheme. He said that of all the initiatives launched under 'Super Six' programme, the free bus travel scheme would have maximum number of beneficiaries. He said efforts were on to finalise an attractive name for the scheme.
Referring to the accusations of Opposition leaders that the scheme would leave auto-rickshaw drivers high and dry in the State, the Minister said that the government would soon announce a welfare initiative for auto drivers, considering that the scheme may impact their livelihood.
The Minister pointed out that to ensure smooth launch and continuation of the scheme in the State, a group of Ministers had visited the neighbouring States of Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka where the scheme is already being implemented. 'After studying the bottlenecks, we are now trying to make the scheme a smooth affair in Andhra Pradesh,' he said.
The APSRTC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Ch. Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, meanwhile, is visiting various depots across the APSRTC zones to review facilities. He said all the bus stands were being painted and focus was on ensuring proper seating arrangements, adequate number of fans and drinking water supply for the population using these bus stations.
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