: The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation has silently imposed an additional burden on passengers by ‘upgrading’ the existing deluxe services into ‘ultra deluxe’ ones. The corporation is collecting almost 20 per cent extra charge by arranging cushion seats in the buses offering deluxe services. For instance, the fare from Srikakulam to Visakhapatnam is only Rs.104, but the corporation collects Rs.125 in the name of ultra deluxe services.
Almost all the non-stop services between Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam route have been converted into ultra deluxe ones. The same practice is being resorted to in the case of long-distance services also. Many villagers and poor people travel between Itchapuram, Tekkali and Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada and there is widespread dismay over the sudden move. “The RTC has given little option to select the services. A majority of passengers cannot afford to travel in these services,” said N. Murali, a passenger from Srikakulam. “The fare is almost equal to AC services. Moreover, old seats have been arranged in the existing buses, which is not fair,” fumed J. Radhika of Tekkali.
APSRTC employees are also not happy as they can’t travel in these buses free of cost. Drivers and conductors have been strictly directed not allow any free travel in those buses. Retired staff and physically challenged persons have been given 50 per cent concession. “We are not able to convince passengers about the extra charge. The new rule shocked our colleagues too since the corporation denied them their privileges,” said a conductor.
Lok Satta Party State general secretary Bhisetty Babji objected to the conversion of regular services into ultra deluxe ones. “The corporation is trying to benefit private operators since they toe APSRTC’s line whenever it increases the fares. People will be forced to travel in autorickshaws and unauthorised vehicles if the corporation does not revere its decision,” he said.
