TSRTC denies fare hike in festival season
Hyderabad: The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has dismissed reports of a hike in bus fares during the festive season. The management clarified that regular ticket prices remain unchanged and that fare revision applies only to special buses operated during major festivals, as per government orders.
In a statement, TSRTC said that under Government Order (GO) No. 16 issued in 2003, fares on special services can be revised up to 50% of the regular fare to cover the minimum diesel cost of buses that return empty after dropping passengers to their hometowns.
The corporation said this practice has been in place since 2003 for festivals such as Sankranti, Dasara, Rakhi Pournami, Vinayaka Chavithi and Ugadi. “This does not apply to regular services. The campaign suggesting fares have been raised across all buses is misleading,” TSRTC said.
TSRTC currently operates about 10,000 buses daily. During festivals, an additional 500 to 1,000 special buses are run depending on demand, and only these services see a fare revision. The management confirmed that during Batukamma and Dasara, the revision will apply only to special buses running on September 20, September 27–30, and October 1, 5 and 6.
Harish Rao criticises government over hike
Former minister T Harish Rao criticised the Congress government, alleging that it is burdening passengers by imposing 50% higher fares in the name of festival specials.
He said, “Every festival, the government increases bus charges and breaks the back of people. Even Pallevelugu services are not spared. By fixing special boards on regular buses, the government is looting passengers.”
He alleged that the move denies people the joy of Batukamma and Dasara celebrations. “Is this public governance, to rob people during festivals?” he asked.
