APSRTC to run 100 electric buses in Visakhapatnam, with focus on Bhogapuram airport link

The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) will run 100 electric buses in Visakhapatnam district, with the first services focusing on connectivity to the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, which is expected to open in the first week of July.

Regional Manager B. Appala Naidu said a plan had been finalised to operate the buses on various routes. The deployment will be in stages, beginning with 20 electric buses in June and the remaining 80 in July and August. The fleet will be split between the Gajuwaka and Simhachalam depots, each receiving 50 buses.

To support the fleet, the corporation is speeding up the setting up of charging stations, and the progress of the infrastructure is being monitored at a high level, including inspections by Chief Engineer Venkata Ramana and others.

Addressing staff at the Simhachalam depot, Mr. Appala Naidu said the fleet must be operationally ready as it expanded. He directed staff to ensure buses halted at all designated stages for the convenience of passengers. He also asked them to stay alert while driving, ensure coordination between drivers and conductors to reduce accidents, and serve passengers courteously.

The meeting was attended by Simhachalam Depot Manager Sarath Babu, Assistant Engineer Kondala Rao, Assistant Manager Ramana Murthy, Executive Engineer Arun Kumar, Deputy Executive Engineer Narayana and Assistant Electrical Engineer Sudharani, among other supervisors and staff.