TGSRTC runs 1,417 special buses to manage Dasara travel rush

Hyderabad is witnessing a festive travel rush as families leave for their native places for Dasara. TGSRTC operated 1,417 special buses between October 9 and 11, carried 1.4 crore passengers and plans additional services on October 15, 16 and 17.

Hyderabad: With the Dasara festive season setting in with an extended vacation, Hyderabad is witnessing a huge rush of families starting for their native places to celebrate the festival.

While the bus depots are teeming with passengers heading to various districts and neighbouring states, the railway stations in the city too are teeming with passengers for long-distance trains. Towards the weekend, the highways are also expected to witness heavy vehicular movement with families heading to districts in their personal cars.

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Meanwhile, with the passenger demand surging during the festive season, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) stepped up its services by operating 1,417 special buses between October 9 and 11 to cope with the rush. Officials said the corporation operated 1,417 special buses, 495 more than the 922 additional services run during the corresponding period last year.

The corporation carried 1.4 crore passengers during the first three days of the festive rush, reflecting the increased demand for travel to native places. The additional services were aimed at accommodating the growing number of passengers and facilitating smoother journeys during the holiday period.

Women travelling under the state government’s Mahalakshmi free bus travel scheme saved an average of Rs 13.73 crore per day during the festive period, compared with Rs 13.02 crore a day last year.

Anticipating another surge in passenger traffic as people return to their hometowns and subsequently resume their journeys, TGSRTC officials said additional buses would be operated on October 15, 16 and 17.

Officials said the corporation is focusing on meeting passenger demand and reducing inconvenience caused by overcrowding. Free travel for women on eligible Palle Velugu, Express, City Ordinary and Metro Express services will continue as usual.