Nellore: In the wake of people trembling to travel in private services after 20 lives, including a four-member family from Nellore district, succumbed to injuries in a RTC bus fire mishap near Bangalore, the APSRTC authorities have high hopes of increasing occupancy ratio (OR) by operating more buses to long distances like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, etc., from Nellore district.
According to sources, currently APSRTC is operating 20 buses to Bangalore, 10 to Hyderabad, and only six to Visakhapatnam, all Super Luxury AC vehicles. In contrast, private operators run over 100 buses to Bangalore, about 200 to Hyderabad, and 20 to Visakhapatnam. Despite safety, lower ticket fares, and timely arrivals offered, 70 percent of people prefer private services for various reasons, including perceived dignity and greater comfort.
K Pravallika, a software engineer in Bangalore, told The Hans India that she feels more comfortable and reaches her destination on time with private services compared to APSRTC. When the recent incident was pointed out, she admitted there are issues with private bus drivers and urged the government to address these problems seriously.
Konjeti Chalamaiah, a trader, who frequently visits Hyderabad for business, opined that if the government provides facilities equal to private services, people would not need to approach private travels. “I have been traveling to Hyderabad for the last 25 years. Earlier, I used to travel by State buses or train and never had a bad experience. If the government cancels private buses and provides highly sophisticated facilities, people will definitely choose state-run buses,” he opined.
When The Hans India contacted, APSRTC Regional Manager SK Shameem said, Nellore district currently witnesses an average 70 per cent Occupancy Ratio in the services. Depending on the increase in passenger percentage, the government will ensure more facilities, she said, adding that even after the Kurnool private bus mishap, there was no increase in Occupancy Ratio and hoped there will be progress in the coming days. edit this item excluding RTC word
In the wake of people trembled to travel in private services after 20 lives including a four member family from nellore district succumbed to injuries in a bus fire mishap that was occurred near Bangalore, the APSRTC authorities high hopes on increasing Occupancy Ratio by operating more busses to long distances like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam etc from nellore district.
According to the sources presently APSRTC has been operating 20 buses to Bangalore, 10 Hyderabad, and only 6 for Visakhapatnam. All were the Super Laxuary AC vehicles.
Where as private operators running 100 plus to Bangalore, about 200 Hyderabad, 20 more Visakhapatnam.
Despite there was saftey and less ticket fare and reaching to the destination in time witnessing in APRTC, but 70 percent of preferred to travel in private services for various reasons including feels dignity and more comfortable with private travels.
One K. Privavalika working as Softwhete engineer in Bangalore told Hans India that she feels more comfortable and reaching the destination point in time if travel in private services comparitively with APSRTC . When Hans India pointed about the yesterday’s incident, however she admitted there was problem with private bus services drivers as government should seriously think over the issue.
A traders Konjeti Chalamaiah a trader propose to made frequent visits Hyderabad of his business transanctions, opioned that if government provide facilities equally with private services, there will be no need of people approaching private travels.
“ I have been making journey to Hyderabad for last 25 years. In the earlier I used to travel either in APSRTC or train. I have never felt bitter experiance. What my opioned if government cancelled the private busses by providing highly sophesticated facilities people definetly choose APSRTC” he said.
When contacted by Hans India, APSRTC Regional Manager S.K. Shameem has said that presently there was avarage 70 percent O.R has been witnessing in the APSRTC services in nellore district. She said that depending on increase of passengers percent government will ensure to provide more facility.
“ Even after the Kurnool private bus mishap there was no increase O.R. I hoped that there would be a progress in O.R in coming days.” she said.
