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Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Free bus scheme to boost ridership, but Vijayawada's bus fleet size stays static
While the RTC authorities estimate that the occupancy ratio (OR) in city buses will grow substantially after the rollout of the Free Bus Scheme from Aug15, no measures are being taken to augment the city bus fleet in Vijayawada to accommodate the anticipated surge in passengers, particularly women. Currently, Vijayawada has around 350 city buses plying its roads, and the fleet is likely to remain the same despite the expected increase in passenger demand following the scheme's implementation. "Vijayawada city will receive 100 electric buses out of 750 e-buses sanctioned to Andhra Pradesh under the PM e-Bus Seva scheme. However, the city bus fleet will remain at 350 as the existing old diesel-run city buses will be phased out under the scrap policy to reduce the high diesel cost burden and limit pollution levels in the city," said APSRTC NTR district deputy chief traffic manager (DyCTM) Sai Charan Teja. All the CNG city buses allocated to Vijayawada under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) were phased out after completing their service life. Currently, all city buses are diesel-run, contributing significantly to air pollution in the city. Vijayawada, falling under the NTR district jurisdiction, operates 163 city ordinary and 106 Metro Luxury services across the Governorpet-1, Governorpet-2, Vidyadharapuram, and Ibrahimpatnam bus depots, while the remaining city buses are operated from Gannavaram and Vuyyuru depots, now under Krishna district. "Currently, the average occupancy ratio (OR) in city buses stands at 60 per cent, and we anticipate the OR to surge to 95 per cent or even 100 per cent after the free bus scheme rolls out for women. To manage the extra passenger rush during peak hours, RTC will rope in private school buses and run auxiliary services," another RTC official explained. "Not inducting new buses into the city fleet will create more traffic chaos and push working men towards purchasing more motor vehicles, significantly choking city roads with pollution and traffic. When regular male passengers who travel daily by city bus find it difficult to get a seat or even a place to stand inside the buses, it will discourage them from using city buses and drive them towards private transport," said M V Anjaneyulu, Secretary of the Tax Payers Association of Vijayawada.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
Free bus scheme to boost ridership, but Vijayawada's bus fleet size stays static
1 2 3 4 Vijayawada:While the RTC authorities estimate that the occupancy ratio (OR) in city buses will grow substantially after the rollout of the Free Bus Scheme from Aug15, no measures are being taken to augment the city bus fleet in Vijayawada to accommodate the anticipated surge in passengers, particularly women. Currently, Vijayawada has around 350 city buses plying its roads, and the fleet is likely to remain the same despite the expected increase in passenger demand following the scheme's implementation. "Vijayawada city will receive 100 electric buses out of 750 e-buses sanctioned to Andhra Pradesh under the PM e-Bus Seva scheme. However, the city bus fleet will remain at 350 as the existing old diesel-run city buses will be phased out under the scrap policy to reduce the high diesel cost burden and limit pollution levels in the city," said APSRTC NTR district deputy chief traffic manager (DyCTM) Sai Charan Teja. All the CNG city buses allocated to Vijayawada under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) were phased out after completing their service life. Currently, all city buses are diesel-run, contributing significantly to air pollution in the city. Vijayawada, falling under the NTR district jurisdiction, operates 163 city ordinary and 106 Metro Luxury services across the Governorpet-1, Governorpet-2, Vidyadharapuram, and Ibrahimpatnam bus depots, while the remaining city buses are operated from Gannavaram and Vuyyuru depots, now under Krishna district. "Currently, the average occupancy ratio (OR) in city buses stands at 60%, and we anticipate the OR to surge to 95% or even 100% after the free bus scheme rolls out for women. To manage the extra passenger rush during peak hours, RTC will rope in private school buses and run auxiliary services," another RTC official explained. "Not inducting new buses into the city fleet will create more traffic chaos and push working men towards purchasing more motor vehicles, significantly choking city roads with pollution and traffic. When regular male passengers who travel daily by city bus find it difficult to get a seat or even a place to stand inside the buses, it will discourage them from using city buses and drive them towards private transport," said M V Anjaneyulu, Secretary of the Tax Payers Association of Vijayawada. gfx Rush Grows, Fleet Stalls Free Bus Scheme to be launched on Aug15, aims at boosting ridership City bus fleet remains static at 350 despite expected demand surge 100 new e-buses to replace old diesel ones, not increase fleet Current 60% occupancy expected to rise to 95–100% post-scheme Private school buses to be used during peak passenger hours Lack of new buses may increase private vehicle use and pollution Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Residents demand more foot over bridges in Vijayawada
1 2 3 Vijayawada: In the absence of foot over bridges (FoBs), citizens crisscrossing roads at the busiest intersections risk their lives, which has become a common sight in the city. Concerned about their safety, residents continue to demand the govt promptly construct sufficient numbers of FoBs, a long-pending demand that remains residents say there is a need for a FoB at nearly every traffic junction, Vijayawada city currently has just one operational FoB opposite the Old Eenadu office on MG Road, situated strategically between Benz Circle and NTR Circle Junctions, two key junctions in the city. "The FoB opposite the Eenadu office serves little purpose as it is mostly used by political parties for displaying flex banners and publicity materials, while intermediate students use it during morning and evening hours. On the other hand, Benz Circle, which is just 200 metres away and where thousands of people jaywalk daily, putting their lives at risk, is bereft of a FoB despite demands from the public to construct one," secretary of taxpayers association in Vijayawada, MV Anjaneyulu, told TOI."Before anything else, Vijayawada, as a city, first requires better footpaths that allow pedestrians to safely walk on the roads. Secondly, the city immediately requires FoBs at crucial junctions such as Benz Circle, Ramavarappadu Ring, Chuttugunta, Besant Road, RTC bus stand area, and Police Control Room junction."While the city earlier had two FoBs, one at the Eenadu office and another at PWD Grounds, the FoB at PWD Grounds was demolished to facilitate the construction of Dr BR Ambedkar Statue at Ambedkar Smriti Vanam Park, developed at the grounds by the previous state govt.A senior Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) official told TOI: "The municipal corporation readied a proposal to construct FoBs at Benz Circle, PCR Junction, Chutti Nagar, and a subway at KR Market area. However, the proposals didn't materialise due to unknown reasons.""I travel daily from Balaji Nagar to Patamata, and I take share autos from Varadhi Junction to Benz Circle Junction to Patamata for commuting daily to my workplace and vice versa. During my commute, I have to cross national highway roads at Varadhi and Benz Circle, making pedestrian safety dubious," says Nagamani, a resident of Balaji Nagar. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
