RTC buses back on roads after 6 months

Commuters have to travel at their own risk, say officials

The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) on Wednesday resumed its operations in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits after about six months since the Covid-19 lock down in March.

Though the TSRTC had resumed its operations in districts from June, the state government has asked it to shut in the city citing the number of Coronavirus cases. However, as many 230 buses in over 100 routes in the suburbs hit the roads, though restrictions are still imposed to operate in the core area.

Surprisingly, the RTC authorities were silent on Covid-19 guidelines being implemented in the buses.

Officials said that unlike the Hyderabad Metro Rail limited (HMRL), RTC buses in the city cannot assure social distancing norms. They said that commuters will travel at their own risk.

RTC authorities said that though the department decided to run 230 buses on 135 routes, only 150 buses turned up and with very minimal footfall. Officials said that they expect increased footfall on Thursday since very few were aware of the resumption of services since it was a sudden decision.

Officials said that though they have sanitised the buses, they cannot ensure social distancing in the city.

It will be the duty of commuters to wear face masks and use hand sanitisers, etc.

A senior RTC official, requesting anonymity, said that looking at the number of Covid-19 cases in the core city, the authorities were worried about operating in the city. He said operations in peripheral areas, including Rajendranagar, Maheshwaram, Ibrahimpatnam, Bandlaguda and others should be considered as pilot, since the organisation will study challenges in operating buses in the core city.

The official said it would be an impossible task to operate buses in an organised manner like HMRL considering the revenue aspect.

When asked about commencing the operations of buses in the core city, the official said that a final decision will be taken by the state government and most likely buses will fully operate in a couple of days based on the outcome of the 135 routes pressed into service.

RTC AUTHORITIES said that though the department decided to run 230 buses on 135 routes, only 150 buses turned up and with very minimal footfall. Officials said that they expect increased footfall on Thursday since very few were aware of the resumption of services since it was a sudden decision.