Several TGSRTC routes see a spike in earnings

TGSRTC sees earnings spike on key routes in Greater Hyderabad Zone, attributed to initiatives like Mahalakshmi Scheme and route monitoring.

While the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) in the recent past was grappling with losses, what comes as a sigh of relief is that several key routes within the Greater Hyderabad Zone over the past year have witnessed a sharp spike in earnings.

According to data, the 127 K/V route, plying the NGOs Colony to Kondapur, has an increase in earning per kilometre (EPK) from last year’s ₹59.78 to ₹93.22 — an increase of an impressive ₹33.44. The case is similar with 115 bus route that takes passengers from Koti to Uppal. As against last year’s gross EPK of ₹ 49.75 to ₹ 80.52 — which is an improvement of nearly ₹31.

The TGSRTC has noted at least a total of 18 such routes that have done well. These include 86J route, from Jiyaguda to Secunderabad, 72J, from Jayapuri Colony to Afzal Gunj, 290U, from Hayathnagar Bus Stand to JBS, 40, from Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station to Secunderabad, 10 KJ from Jagadgirigutta to Secunderabad, and 222 A, from MGBS to Patancheru. Data shows that the increase in gross EPK for these routes is between ₹ 19.07 and ₹ 33. 44.

Speaking to The Hindu, TGSRTC Vice-Chairman and Managing Director V.C. Sajjanar pegged a slew of measures to the spike in earnings. While the rollout of the Mahalakshmi Scheme, that provides free bus rides to women, is one of the factors for the improvement in EPK, and increase in occupancy ratios, other initiatives such as directing officers such as depot managers to adopt routes, for better monitoring, are also contributing factors.

“There has been increase in patronage. Also, we replaced several old buses. The increase of electric buses is also there. We have campaigned on social media to encourage passengers to take public transport. We have also seen an increase in efficiency of staff,” Mr Sajjanar said.

With profitability and EPK, in this case, being linked with reimbursements from the State government for the Mahalakshmi Scheme, Mr Sajjanar said, “While there may be a slight delay as you say, reimbursements from the government are indeed coming. The scheme is doing well and there is an increase in passengers.”