Latest news with #APSRTC
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Govt plans to add 2,536 new buses into RTC fleet in state
As many as 2,536 additional buses would be inducted into the existing fleet of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation ( APSRTC ) to implement the free bus travel scheme for women. Officials of the state-run corporation submitted the estimates on the scheme to chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday. APSRTC has not included new buses in its fleet for a long time, and there will be an additional requirement of buses as the passenger rush is likely to increase once the scheme is implemented. Officials estimate that an amount of ₹996 crore is required to induct new buses. They also explained the need to improve other facilities like drinking water, sanitation, bus information systems, and other amenities at bus stations. In a review meeting on the free bus scheme with the CM, officials said they estimate the number of journeys by women is likely to increase by about 78% after the scheme is rolled out. The total number of trips by women is likely to increase from 49.91 crore to 88.90 crore trips annually. Naidu suggested officials to go for new buses or take buses on rental basis if required. He said all new buses to be inducted into APSRTC fleet henceforth should be electric-AC buses. He also suggested exploring the possibility of converting existing diesel buses into electric ones. He also wanted GPS installation in every bus to be made mandatory, while stressing on the cleanliness of bus stations and buses. The chief minister made it clear that the scheme will be rolled out from Aug 15 despite financial difficulties. 'In view of the challenges being faced by the state, public money should be utilised efficiently,' he said, and suggested looking for additional revenue sources focusing on cost reduction. Even in the procurement of new buses, he asked officials to explore all options to ease the financial burden on the govt. He suggested officials to study the best implementation models, explore options to generate own power for EV buses, hand over maintenance to private players, and explore battery swapping options.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Free RTC bus travel plan for women in final stage in Andhra Pradesh
VIJAYAWADA: The coalition government is chalking out final plans to implement free bus travel for women, a key Super Six promise. Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu held a review meeting with APSRTC officials at his Undavalli camp office on Saturday to discuss the rollout, set to begin on August 15. To accommodate the expected surge in passengers, the Chief Minister directed officials to increase the number of buses by purchasing new ones or leasing them as needed. He emphasised that all new buses introduced by the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) should be electric vehicle (EV) air-conditioned buses. He further instructed officials to explore converting existing buses to EVs and to equip every bus with GPS for better tracking and management. Despite the State's financial constraints, Chief Minister Naidu stressed the importance of fulfilling election promises while ensuring prudent use of public funds. He urged APSRTC to boost revenue streams and reduce operational costs. Suggestions included improving efficiency, maintaining clean bus station facilities, and ensuring passenger satisfaction through better services. He emphasised that Andhra Pradesh's scheme should be the most effective and passenger-friendly. 'Our implementation must set a benchmark for satisfaction and efficiency,' he told officials.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
2,536 new buses to be inducted into RTC fleet for women's free travel scheme in Andhra Pradesh
Vijayawada: As many as 2,536 additional buses would be inducted into the existing fleet of Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) to implement the free bus travel scheme for women. Officials of the state-run corporation submitted the estimates on the scheme to chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday. APSRTC has not included new buses in its fleet for a long time, and there will be an additional requirement of buses as the passenger rush is likely to increase once the scheme is implemented. Officials estimate that an amount of Rs 996 crore is required to induct new buses. They also explained the need to improve other facilities like drinking water, sanitation, bus information systems, and other amenities at bus stations. In a review meeting on the free bus scheme with the CM, officials said they estimate the number of journeys by women is likely to increase by about 78% after the scheme is rolled out. The total number of trips by women is likely to increase from 49.91 crore to 88.90 crore trips annually. Naidu suggested officials to go for new buses or take buses on rental basis if required. He said all new buses to be inducted into APSRTC fleet henceforth should be electric-AC buses. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo He also suggested exploring the possibility of converting existing diesel buses into electric ones. He also wanted GPS installation in every bus to be made mandatory, while stressing on the cleanliness of bus stations and buses. The chief minister made it clear that the scheme will be rolled out from Aug 15 despite financial difficulties. "In view of the challenges being faced by the state, public money should be utilised efficiently," he said, and suggested looking for additional revenue sources focusing on cost reduction. Even in the procurement of new buses, he asked officials to explore all options to ease the financial burden on the govt. He suggested officials to study the best implementation models, explore options to generate own power for EV buses, hand over maintenance to private players, and explore battery swapping options.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Andhra Pradesh's ‘free bus ride for women' should set a benchmark, says Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu
Taking stock of the Super Six scheme of free travel for women in APSRTC buses in a review meeting on Saturday, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu told the officials to ensure adequate availability of buses, keeping in view the likely surge in occupancy after its scheduled launch on August 15. Mr. Naidu suggested that new buses be procured, or hired if required, while ordering that all buses that might be needed for the APSRTC's fleet in the future should be electric vehicles, and the extent to which the existing buses could be converted to electric buses should be studied. All buses should be fitted with GPS devices, he added. Mr. Naidu said the promises made to people at the time of elections ought to be kept in spite of the financial burden entailed by them, and, in the same vein, stressed the need for fiscal prudence, saying that every single rupee was valuable. He exhorted the APSRTC officials to explore new revenue streams, reduce expenditure, and improve operational efficiency, and highlighted the importance of cleanliness on all premises of the public carrier and in the buses. Further, Mr. Naidu advised the officials to examine whether it was feasible to operate buses through battery swapping as it would be cost effective, and to evaluate the operation of battery-operated and non-battery buses, and private management of service stations. The officials told the Chief Minister that 2,536 additional buses were required for the free travel scheme, and the cost was estimated to be ₹996 crore. It was expected that women could make 889 million trips annually under the scheme from the present 430.60 million. As on date, Delhi, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Telangana were offering free bus travel to women, and Andhra Pradesh should set a benchmark thereof, Mr. Naidu added.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- The Hindu
Minister asks parents to spend time with children to keep them away from vices
Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra appealed to parents to spend time with their children to keep them away from vices. Participating in a rally organised by Krishna district police in connection with the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking here on Thursday, the Minister asked the parents to observe the movements of their wards and teach them about good and bad habits. APSRTC Chairman Konakalla Narayana Rao, Eluru Range IGP G.V.G. Ashok Kumar, Collector D.K. Balaji, Superintendent of Police (SP) R. Gangadhar Rao and officers of various departments participated in the programme. Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA) and the Mandal Legal Services Committee, has organised a legal literacy and drug abuse awareness camp at Vikas Engineering College in Nunna on Thursday. Vijayawada Third Additional Senior Civil Judge Venkateswara Rao, who attended the programme, asked the students to identify those who were addicted to drugs and report to the officials. He urged the students to utilise the make use of the legal services at hand in this regard. Bezawada Bar Association president A.K. Basha, Vikas Engineering College chairman Narsareddy, principal Parameshwar Rao and students also participated. The NCC Army Wing of Maris Stella College took out a rally against drugs. NCC 4 Girls Battalion Commanding Officer Col. Balinder Singh asked the cadets and the students to take measures to prevent drugs. Principal Jasintha Quadras, Anti-Drug Committee coordinator Ramakrishna, Army Associate Officer Captain Sailaja, Degree College vice-principal Usha Kumari, Navy officer Swapna Unnam and students participated in the rally.
