RTC Union Demands Crackdown On Illegal Private Buses

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh PTD (RTC) Employees Union has urged the state government to strengthen APSRTC and stop the activities of illegal private travel buses that endanger the lives of passengers.

Speaking in Vijayawada on Saturday, Union state president Palisetti Damodar Rao and chief secretary GV Narsaiah said APSRTC remains India’s most reliable transport network and ensures safe travel for passengers but its revenues have been severely affected by unauthorized private bus operators.

Referring to the tragic Kurnool bus accident involving a private coach, they blamed untrained drivers, lack of dual-driver systems and over-speeding without proper supervision as the main causes of such incidents.

They called on the government to provide more long-distance air-conditioning and sleeper services under APSRTC with state support and take action against illegal operators operating buses without valid permits, which they said resulted in an annual loss of around Rs 1,500 crore to the company.

Union leaders also urged passengers to prioritize safety over speed and opt for APSRTC services, which operate under the slogan “Safety First”. They called for public cooperation to preserve the state’s public transportation system.