TGSRTC to soon meet IT industry heads to encourage use of buses

With traffic snarls plaguing major parts of Hyderabad, including the IT Corridor, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC), in an effort to ameliorate congestion, is mulling discussions with IT company heads to encourage employees use their buses.

The views echo those of transport researchers who advocate improved bus services as a means of encouraging use of public transport, and reduce dependence on privately vehicles, thereby easing traffic congestion.

From July 1 to 31, East Zone, West Zone, Central Zone, South Zone, North Zone, and Ranga Reddy offices recorded a staggering 89,000 vehicle registrations. This includes a small fraction of older vehicles that may have been re-registered.

Vice-Chairman and Managing Director V.C. Sajjanar said, “We intend to coordinate with IT companies so that they encourage employees to take buses. We have to understand that there are a large number of cars with only one occupant plying on roads.”

One of the key points likely to be discussed is the incentivisation of public transport usage. However, more clarity is required on this. The broader issue of last-mile connectivity too is likey to be discussed.

As of July, the TGSRTC had deployed as many as 219 buses in the IT Corridor. Most of these belong to the 10 series routes, operating between Kondapur and Secunderabad, Waverock and Secunderabad, Kondapur and Secunderabad, and VBIT and Secunderabad. This accounts for a total of 50 buses.

This was followed by the 195 series routes, comprising 45 buses running between Bachupally and Waverock, Kokapet and Pragathinagar Crossroads, Bachupally and HITEC, Miyapur 2 Depot and Waverock, and Jagadgirigutta and Waverock. Other routes with a significant number of buses are 47, 113, 116, 127, 156, 126 and 65 series routes.

Mr. Sajjanar noted that the purpose of engaging with IT companies is to better understand how services can be improved or expanded.