The road accidents are sure to increase in Hyderabad with the new running time schedule of APSRTC city buses. The RTC management, which is keen to earn more profits, has directed its 7,000 drivers to follow the revised running time schedule, which will enable the corporation to pick up more passengers with extra trips.
Hyderabad city region earns Rs 1.32 crore per day with its fleet of 2,895 buses. Approximately, 36 lakh passengers travel every day in RTC buses. However, the buses are proved to be insufficient as they will provide public transport for only 31 per cent of the total commuters. RTC, which is unable to add additional buses, decided to utilise the existing fleet for optimum level with the new schedule. For instance, a bus driver has to cover 19.5 kilometre distance between Falaknuma and Sanat Nagar in just one hour after stopping the bus in all the 20 bus stops for picking up the passengers. It's not so easy if we consider our road and traffic conditions.
The studies of several organi sations such as Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) reveal that the present average speed of the vehicles is only 12 kilometres per hour. But the RTC authorities are reportedly forcing the drivers to run the buses at 20 km ph on an average. It means, the drivers have to struggle a lot to meet the new deadlines in spite of the heavy congestion and traffic jams. "Several old buses are not in good condition. The accidents will occur if we run those unconditioned buses with heavy speed as per the new schedule," said M. Prabhakara Rao, a bus driver.
As many as 100 persons are being knocked down every year due to rash and negligent driving of the buses. As per the statistics of APSRTC, 100 persons died due to city buses in 2004-2005. The death toll was increased to 105 in 2005-2006. And 107 persons died in fatal accidents due to RTC buses in 2006-2007. In the last four months, 27 were knocked down by city buses in twin cities.
The drivers and conductors who are up in the arms against the APSRTC on Tuesday launched their agitation in 21 depots by wearing black badges. And they raised slogans against the management as part of lunch hour demonstrations.
"We will continue to fight until the management is ready to revise the timings after considering the city traffic and congestion," said Syed Mohammad, general secretary of National Mazdoor Union.
The running time schedule will create difficulties to the passengers particularly women, children and senior citizens since the buses will not stay in the bus stops even for 10 seconds.
"Sometimes, we fall down on roads as we are unable to catch the running buses, which are always jam-packed" said K. Prameela, a traveller. "With the new schedule, the bus will fly with jet speed. Hence we have to depend on auto rickshaws by paying more fare," she added.
However RTC officials argue by saying that the new timings were fixed to benefit the passengers. "Thousands of passengers are waiting in the bus stops. They cannot catch the bus unless a specific schedule is given," said an official of APSRTC city region.
"If the running time is increased, some trips will have to be cancelled and passengers will be put to hardship in peak hours" he added.
Hyderabad city region earns Rs 1.32 crore per day with its fleet of 2,895 buses. Approximately, 36 lakh passengers travel every day in RTC buses. However, the buses are proved to be insufficient as they will provide public transport for only 31 per cent of the total commuters. RTC, which is unable to add additional buses, decided to utilise the existing fleet for optimum level with the new schedule. For instance, a bus driver has to cover 19.5 kilometre distance between Falaknuma and Sanat Nagar in just one hour after stopping the bus in all the 20 bus stops for picking up the passengers. It's not so easy if we consider our road and traffic conditions.
The studies of several organi sations such as Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) reveal that the present average speed of the vehicles is only 12 kilometres per hour. But the RTC authorities are reportedly forcing the drivers to run the buses at 20 km ph on an average. It means, the drivers have to struggle a lot to meet the new deadlines in spite of the heavy congestion and traffic jams. "Several old buses are not in good condition. The accidents will occur if we run those unconditioned buses with heavy speed as per the new schedule," said M. Prabhakara Rao, a bus driver.
As many as 100 persons are being knocked down every year due to rash and negligent driving of the buses. As per the statistics of APSRTC, 100 persons died due to city buses in 2004-2005. The death toll was increased to 105 in 2005-2006. And 107 persons died in fatal accidents due to RTC buses in 2006-2007. In the last four months, 27 were knocked down by city buses in twin cities.
The drivers and conductors who are up in the arms against the APSRTC on Tuesday launched their agitation in 21 depots by wearing black badges. And they raised slogans against the management as part of lunch hour demonstrations.
"We will continue to fight until the management is ready to revise the timings after considering the city traffic and congestion," said Syed Mohammad, general secretary of National Mazdoor Union.
The running time schedule will create difficulties to the passengers particularly women, children and senior citizens since the buses will not stay in the bus stops even for 10 seconds.
"Sometimes, we fall down on roads as we are unable to catch the running buses, which are always jam-packed" said K. Prameela, a traveller. "With the new schedule, the bus will fly with jet speed. Hence we have to depend on auto rickshaws by paying more fare," she added.
However RTC officials argue by saying that the new timings were fixed to benefit the passengers. "Thousands of passengers are waiting in the bus stops. They cannot catch the bus unless a specific schedule is given," said an official of APSRTC city region.
"If the running time is increased, some trips will have to be cancelled and passengers will be put to hardship in peak hours" he added.
4 comments:
now i know why i had to run and catch the bus everytime i was at the bus stops in Hyderabad. I thought the bus drivers and conductors are inhuman. But its not the case. The officials are sitting on their heads in their subconscious. So all they worry about it is time. And not the precious lives of the people. so sad :(
interesting piece of information, I had come to know about your web-page from my friend, i have read posts of yours by now, and let me tell you, your blog gives the best and the most interesting information. This is just the kind of information that i had been looking for, i'm already your rss reader now and i would regularly watch out for the new posts, once again hats off to you! Thanks a million once again,
Regards,
Travel Bus Details
great piece of information you are providing. recently apsrtc bus pass was issued through online only
APSRTC has one of the best service in India than any other services of other states but I have heared that there is some sort of corruption in apsrtc bus pass and users are using expired bus passes and give the conductor some money. HOw is that even possible? www.apsrtclogin.in
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