Latest news with #PalleVelugu
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
APSRTC free travel for women across state up to Express buses
GUNTUR: The APSRTC will implement the free bus travel scheme for women across all districts without any route restrictions, covering services such as Palle Velugu, Ultra Palle Velugu, Express, Metro Express, and City Ordinary, though formal GO in this regard is still awaited, said Managing Director Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao. Speaking at a review meeting of Nellore Zone RTC depot managers on Wednesday, said the free bus travel scheme reflects the government's commitment to women's empowerment. The scheme will be implemented from August 15, using existing RTC buses and personnel. RTC officials should take measures to ensure smooth implementation of the free travel scheme, he said. State, Central IDs valid for free travel Drivers and conductors, particularly in the light of expected high volume of female passengers in the initial days of the scheme, should behave courteously. A Zone 2 coordination meeting will be held on July 31 to ensure seamless implementation of the scheme, he said. About 1,050 new buses will soon be inducted, and that 1,500-2,000 diesel buses will be replaced per annum with electric buses as per Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's vision, he said. APSRTC Chairman Konakalla Narayana said, 'We are fully prepared to implement the NDA election promise. Women will soon be able to travel from any point to any destination within the State with just a valid Central or State government-issued ID card. This scheme will bring significant change to women's lives in Andhra Pradesh. The scheme is exclusively for women residing in the State.' RTC Zonal Chairman Suresh Reddy condemned unnecessary criticism from opposition parties, saying, 'They didn't even lay roads in the past. We studied how similar schemes are implemented in other States and are now committed to enforcing it robustly.'
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
75% of APSRTC fleet to be used for free bus travel scheme, says Minister
Minister for Transport Mandipalli Ramprasad on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) said that arrangements are underway for the launch of free bus travel for State women on August 15. 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.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Historic depot bustles again with 19 buses in service
Narketpally (Nalgonda): One of the oldest bus depots in Telangana established during the Nizam era is witnessing a resurgence after years of neglect and near closure. The Narketpally depot, which once bustled with dozens of buses serving rural Telangana, was shut under the pretext of financial losses. Locals and students were the worst hit as rural connectivity plummeted. During the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections, Nakrekal constituency Congress candidate Vemula Veeresham promised to revive the depot and bring back its past glory. Staying true to his word, now as the elected MLA, he collaborated with Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and succeeded in adopting the Narketpally depot under a special initiative. So far, three new buses have been added to the fleet, bringing the total number of buses operating from the depot to 19. In the previous year alone, 15 buses generated a revenue of Rs 40 lakhs. New routes have been started from Narketpally to Hyderabad and Amanabole, and plans are underway to further expand services to Nakrekal, Chityal, and Ramannapet mandals. The depot holds historical and emotional significance for locals. It was the first to be established in the united Nalgonda district and served crucial routes such as Hyderabad-Vijayawada and Addanki. Over the years, however, previous administrations allegedly attempted to benefit from the land and assets of the depot, planning to lease it out and redirect its services elsewhere. These attempts were strongly opposed by the public and thwarted by leaders like then MP Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, who vowed to protect the depot from privatization. Locals are overjoyed by the revival. They believe that with better services to Yadagirigutta and Hyderabad, the depot can return to profitability. They are also urging for the reinstatement of Palle Velugu buses connecting the 29 panchayats in Narketpally mandal, enabling students, elderly citizens, and daily commuters to access nearby towns with ease. Citizens now look forward to full-scale development of the bus stand, and hope that the combined efforts of Veeresham and Ponnam will lead the Narketpally bus depot into a new era of service and significance.
Hans India
24-07-2025
- Hans India
Man ‘steals' RTC bus in Nellore district
Vijayawada: In a bizarre incident, a bus belonging to Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) was stolen in Nellore district on Wednesday. Alerted by the APSRTC officials, the police intercepted the stolen vehicle and arrested the thief a few hours later. The 'Palle Velugu' bus of APSRTC belonging to Atmakur depot had reached Nellore town from Atmakur on Tuesday night. After parking the vehicle at the bus stand, driver Jeelani went to the restroom. On Wednesday morning, when the driver went to the bus stand to resume his duty, he was shocked to find the bus missing. He immediately informed the APSRTC officials, who, in turn, lodged a complaint with the police. The police scanned the CCTV footage from different locations around the town. The stolen bus was captured on CCTV at the Bucchireddypalem toll gate. The police swung into action and intercepted the bus near Nellorepalem Circle, about 50 km from Nellore town and arrested the thief. The thief was identified as B Krishna, of Kancherla village of Vidavalur mandal in the same district. The police were questioning him about the motive behind his action. This is not the first such incident in the state. In 2002, a man in Vizianagaram district stole a bus of the APSRTC to reach home. The stolen bus belonging to the Palakonda depot of APSRTC was found in Kandisa village after several hours of search by the police along with Corporation officials.(IANS)
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
TGSRTC rumbles past 200 crore free trips milestone
The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation's Mahalaxmi Scheme, which provides free bus travel to women and transgender persons, has rumbled past the 200 crore free trips milestone. Launched on December 9, 2023, the scheme was implemented across Palle Velugu, Express, City Ordinary and Metro Express buses. Of TSRTC's fleet strength of 9,703 buses, 7,913 comprises 5,080 Palle Velugu buses and Express buses, and 2,833 Metro Express and City Ordinary buses. According to official data, the State government has so far reimbursed ₹6,680 crore based on the trips taken by women passengers. Meanwhile, daily ridership rose from 45.49 lakh to 60.08 lakh, which is a 24% increase. Furthermore, women now account for 66.74% of all passengers, up from 40%. Occupancy ratio improved markedly from 69% as recorded in November 2023 to 97% by June 2025. 'RTC has organised festive programs across the State to mark the completion of 200 crore free journeys for women,' said Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka at an event to mark the occasion. 'When the Indiramma government came to power, we started free bus travel for women on RTC on December 9, 2023. Two hundred crore women passengers have travelled for free, saving ₹6,680 crore. Congratulations to them.' He said that those who once likened RTC to a sinking boat should now reconsider. 'After introducing free bus travel, RTC has now become profitable. It is not a sinking boat, but a government organisation that is making profits,' he said, adding that the State government has so far paid ₹6,680 crore to RTC and will continue to cover the fare of women passengers. 'RTC has grown to the point of buying new buses with the income generated,' he said. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said women have been making use of the scheme to travel to places of employment, worship and shopping. He underscored the government's commitment to strengthening the corporation. He pointed out that in the last decade, the RTC was weakened to the point at which people began to wonder if it would survive. 'Now, RTC is coming out of losses and moving towards profits,' he said. He said that the government has been procuring new buses, making appointments and repaying employee dues. He also noted that buses have been handed over to women's groups for ownership, with cheques worth ₹1 crore recently issued for 150 buses. Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy said, 'Within two days of our government coming to power, we started free bus travel for women in RTC in the Assembly premises. So far, 200 crore free journeys have been completed, saving ₹6,680 crore.' He said the government aims to make one crore women millionaires and has also enabled women to set up petrol stations. Events were organised at 97 bus depots and 324 bus stations to mark the milestone. The ministers felicitated drivers and conductors for their contribution in the scheme's success.
