Commuters request for increase in RTC buses in Hyderabad

Hyderabad’s RTC faces a shortage of nearly 3,000 buses, doubling passenger loads on suburban routes after the Mahalakshmi scheme. Commuters demand direct, single-service buses, while TGSRTC plans route assessments and deployment of hired vehicles to ease overcrowding

Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s public transport network seems to be under a significant strain, with only around 3,000 TGSRTC buses currently operating, as against an estimated requirement of nearly 6,000 as per the current demand.

Rapidly expanding colonies and an ever-increasing city population, apart from soaring ridership under the ‘Mahalakshmi’ free bus travel scheme for women initiated by the State Government, have intensified demands for more services across several localities.

As per estimates, currently operating RTC bus fleet in Hyderabad is around 3,200 and the estimated requirement as per demand is around 6,000, roughly double the number plying currently. The corporation’s overall fleet was nearly 9,100 as of March 2024, but only a portion of these buses are city services.

Requests have been pouring in from several areas, including in Ghatkesar, Ibrahimpatnam, Medchal, Quthbullapur, Chevella, Moinabad and Kollur, where commuters say the shortage is more acute.

Thousands of workers from places like Balapur, Uppal, LB Nagar and Nagole start their commute early in the morning, relying on services to LB Nagar and the RCI bus stop.

Residents say nearly 5,000 commuters would benefit if additional services are deployed from the nearby Midhani and Uppal depots.

On crowded routes such as Koti–Lingampalli, buses often reportedly arrive only once an hour, forcing passengers into packed vehicles and pushing many towards private transport. Commuters are also demanding additional services from Koti and Secunderabad.

A senior TGSRTC official, responding to the rising public demands, said, “Passenger volumes have doubled in several corridors after the Mahalakshmi scheme. We are assessing route-wise requirements and will allocate more buses, including hired vehicles, wherever the demand is critical.”

Meanwhile, citizens request RTC authorities to expand services through hired buses that will be essential to bridge the gap until the new fleet arrives.

Commuters from suburbs continue to struggle:

Commuters from Hyderabad suburbs continue to struggle with long and exhausting daily travel, as several major routes still require changing two or even three buses. Several students and employees are forced to spend nearly two to three hours each day just commuting, and delays due to rain or heavy traffic often result in reprimands at workplaces.

With this, there is a growing demand for single, direct bus services on long suburban routes. Passengers say these long routes currently involve multiple interchanges, making daily travel stressful and time-consuming.

Many passengers argue that a single-service model on long routes would not only reduce travel time but also improve work-life balance. Despite several bus services, commuters from the suburbs say direct connectivity is missing exactly where it is needed most.

TGSRTC officials have reportedly received multiple representations from employees, IT workers and residential welfare groups seeking these new point-to-point services.

Routes where passengers are demanding single-service connectivity

*Mehdipatnam – Bachupally via Alwyn Colony, Miyapur crossroads

*Meerpet – Secunderabad via Karmanghat, Saroornagar, Kothapet, Dilsukhnagar, RTC crossroads

*Tarnaka – Mehdipatnam

*Afzalgunj – Charlapalli Railway Station

*Hayathnagar – KPHB Colony

*Borabanda – Kukatpally, Medchal, Patancheru, Wave Rock

*Mallapur and Nacharam – LB Nagar, which would also benefit commuters going toward Charlapalli Railway Station

*Suchitra – Hitec City (for IT employees)

*Financial District – Miyapur via Kondapur