No AC buses in Old City, people suspect foul play

Despite the old city being a major contributor to the revenue of TSRTC, it is deprived of the comfort of air-conditioned (AC) buses. A total of 3,300 buses are running in the city as per an RTI report, but unfortunately no single AC bus runs in old city.

The report highlights the issues being faced by the commuters of the old city due to lack of AC buses. There are 121 regular buses plying from Falaknuma depot, 114 from Midhani, 103 from Bandlaguda and 76 from Barkatpura depot as per to the report and only five AC buses are from Barkatpura, but the AC buses of Barkatpura don’t travel in the old city.

“Moreover any AC bus from any depot doesn’t come on this route,” said Md Akram an activist. “The JNNURM AC buses which runs in the new city were not in a good condition. So most of them were replaced with the new ones. But they are not even deployed in the old city, it is nothing but discrimination against people of the old city who depend mostly on public transport for their travel,” he said.

A representation was made recently by MIM president Asaduddin Owaisi to the managing director of TSRTC for starting the services of AC buses in the old city.

While stressing on the issues of people and tourists, he said, “There are many historical places in the old city and thousands of tourists visit these places. So it would be a kind gesture by the RTC if they start the services of AC buses.”

“The proposal is under active consideration, once we get the approval from the MD, the buses might start,” said Mr Purshottam Naik the executive director of TSRTC.

Prakash Singh, a resident of Gowlipura, said the shortage of buses is always a problem in the old city. The problem becomes severe in the summer as most of the buses are overcrowded as usual and a lot of them could be seen sweating. “If AC buses are started then the passengers can heave a sigh of relief and have a sweat-free journey.”