APSRTC Unions Step Up Stir Against Electric Bus Privatisation
: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of APSRTC employee unions on Sunday announced the second phase of its statewide agitation against what it described as gradual privatization of the company through operation of electric buses by private entities.
RTC JAC conveners Y. Srinivasa Rao and Palisetti Damodara Rao announced the agitation program after a meeting of employee unions at Revenue Bhavan in Vijayawada. They said the protests were aimed at protecting the APSRTC, strengthening the public transport system and protecting the legitimate interests of employees.
The leaders claimed that while the government allowed private operators to enter the sector under the electric bus programme, it also leased valuable APSRTC warehouse land to them. They alleged that despite repeated representations demanding that all electric buses be operated by APSRTC, the government has failed to respond, forcing employees to intensify their agitation.
According to JAC, four depots have already been handed over to private operators for the operation of 1,050 electric buses. He also claimed that 50 percent of the land in eight depots has been allocated to private companies and 29 depots have been prepared to accommodate 1,450 additional electric buses. JAC claimed that these developments point to a plan to transfer all APSRTC buses and depots to private entities by 2029.
As part of the agitation, employees will observe APSRTC Protection Days on July 7 and 8 by wearing badges while on duty. They will seek support from public representatives in political parties between 9-18 July. A statewide signature campaign will be conducted between July 19 and 26, followed by petitions to be presented to the Chief Minister through district collectors on July 27. A JAC meeting to be held at the State level on July 30 will decide on the third phase of the agitation.
