RTC to operate 20 Mercedes Benz buses from Jan 2

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh State Regional Transport Corporation vice-chairman and managing director B Prasada Rao has said efforts are being made to bring 20 Mercedes Benz and 20 Volvo buses on roads by January,2012.Speaking to Express, he said for the first time the multi-axle Mercedes Benz are being introduced in the state. He added the buses would be used for long distance and the fare will be set at Rs 1.50 per km.Prasada Rao said the process of replacing worn-out buses is going on with about 4,000 buses replaced this year and remaining 3,000 to be replaced next year. He said 130 CNG buses are ready to operate and they are likely to be on the roads in a few days. “As many as 36 Indra buses are being operated and these services are getting good response from passengers and assured to introduce more Indra buses in future,” said the APSRTC MD. Prasada Rao also said the call centre set up in the headquarters has been receiving over 700 calls every day with passengers calling to know about bus timings and ticket booking information. He added the proposal to operate special buses to the temple town of Tirupati is in process and talks would be made with Tirumala temple officials soon in this regard.Prasada Rao also said the RTC’s plan to enter the cargo business is also under process.