RTC union seeks steps to reduce increased workload after ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme

Leaders of Andhra Pradesh Public Transport Department (APPTD) Employees Union urged the authorities to immediately address the problem of increased workload due to the overcrowding of buses after the implementation of ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme, that entitles women to free travelling in APSRTC buses.

In a statement on Saturday, the Employees Union’s State president P. Damodara Rao said the RTC staff had been working with complete dedication for success of the scheme, introduced on August 15 this year. “However, neither the government nor the RTC authorities are paying attention to the severe difficulties faced by the conductors and drivers or the increased workload caused by the scheme. He said if these problems were not addressed immediately, it would become difficult for the RTC bus crew to continue their duties.

Mr. Damodara Rao took exception to booking of cases against conductors even for minor procedural errors during duty hours and said the depot managers, without verifying the facts, were suspending the employees based on reports. “If this situation continues, it will become extremely difficult for conductors and drivers to perform their duties in the future,” he reiterated.

Later, addressing a general body meeting of the union, Mr. Rao demanded immediate resolution of the long-pending promotions of employees across 15 divisions in seven combined districts, which were stalled due to legal complications.

The union’s State deputy general secretary M.D. Prasad demanded that the management immediately procure at least 3,000 additional buses and recruit 10,000 staff to reduce the increased workload on employees.