TTD adds RTC buses to its existing fleet of free buses

An APSRTC bus plying on the Tirumala ghat road. File photo | Photo Credit: The Hindu

In a significant move aimed at enhancing the convenience of devotees visiting Tirumala, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD), in collaboration with Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), has added additional buses to its already existing fleet of vehicles for transporting pilgrims from one location to another atop the temple town.

TTD Additional Executive Officer C.H. Venkayya Chowdary flagged off the free APSRTC buses on Thursday (June 19, 2025) at the Aswini Hospital Circle.

He declared that the initiative was part of TTD’s efforts to save pilgrims from getting fleeced by the local cab drivers who charge them exorbitant rates and reduce vehicular pollution atop the town.

Thanking the RTC authorities for responding positively to the TTDs request he stated that the buses shall ply in the routes used by the existing ‘Sri Vari Dharma Rathams’.

At present, around 300 free trips are run daily by the TTD’s Dharma Rathams and the new inclusion shall increase its total by another 80 trips.

Devotees can board APSRTC buses from different points within Tirumala and motor down to Tirupati without paying any additional charges and appealed to the devout to make full use of the initiative.

APSRTC Executive Director, Paidi Chandrasekhar and TTD Transport GM Seshareddy were prominent among other officials present. (eom)

Published - June 20, 2025 07:09 am IST