Metro scare? RTC plans mini buses to stay afloat

HYDERABAD: Anticipating a huge loss of business due to the metro rail project, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) is slowly working towards raising an army of mini buses to service newer areas. To start with, nearly 250 mini buses are ready to be launched during the ongoing festive season connecting the city with districts like Warangal and Nalgonda.
To add to these, another 200-odd mini buses might be launched in the future, say authorities.The city currently has over 100 non-air-conditioned buses plying in Old City , which were launched a couple of years back as they were able to navigate narrow roads better.
The corporation, which is launching the doorstep service called `Vajra' as part of its plan to `strengthen the transport system in Telangana', will also launch a mobile app. “Large-scale expansion of mini bus services however will be done only after conducting proper financial feasibility studies,“ said M Ravindar, secretary to corporation. As per internal studies, nearly 50 per cent of revenue of the corporation is likely to be affected on metro routes.
“While it might be important to introduce more mini buses, the corporation doesn't have the money to buy the required number of buses. We might require upwards of 1,500,“ said an official. Even passengers believe that mini buses would do them a great service in the city. “The problem that I face each time I want to travel by bus is to reach the main road from my colony . It's either a 2-km walk or I have to shell out Rs 30 to Rs 40 for an auto.Mini buses are long overdue, especially with several new colonies mushrooming in the city,“ said Rakesh Shah, a commuter.
While RTC authorities might be going all out to improve revenue, experts point out the need for a toothless Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) under HMDA. “While mini buses would be a definite requirement for the corporation to survive once the metro rolls out, the metro rail authorities should be buying those for the corporation. They are poaching on their turf without giving them any compensation,“ said urban planning expert Anant Maringanti.