Hyderabad: Hyderabad night bus services launched by TGSRTC carried 9,286 passengers within their first seven days, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said. The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation introduced the special “third shift” services in the Greater Hyderabad Zone from September 1.
The buses operated during late-night hours on six major routes. TGSRTC introduced them following passenger requests and growing demand for public transport after midnight.
Prabhakar said increasing late-night traffic congestion had also prompted the initiative. The corporation considered the transport requirements of employees, students and other sections before introducing the services.
According to the Minister, passengers gave an encouraging response to the new service during its first week. Prabhakar said 9,286 passengers used the Hyderabad night bus services in just seven days after their September 1 launch.
He said the services provided safe and convenient public transport even during midnight hours. As a result, passengers in Hyderabad had expressed satisfaction with the initiative. Moreover, TGSRTC had received requests from the public to introduce similar night buses on additional routes.
Officials would examine passenger demand, traffic volumes and route requirements before deciding on further expansion, the Minister said. The corporation would subsequently extend third-shift services to more major routes wherever demand and operational requirements justified them.
Hyderabad night bus services part of 24-hour transport plan
Prabhakar said the government aimed to strengthen public transport across Hyderabad and improve its availability throughout the day and night. Accordingly, the government planned to develop a transport system that remained accessible to the public 24 hours a day. However, the expansion would take place in phases after officials assessed demand and requirements on different routes.
The third-shift initiative currently focused on six major routes in the Greater Hyderabad Zone. Its introduction followed rising demand for dependable public transportation during late-night hours.
Prabhakar said future expansion would depend on a comprehensive assessment by officials. They would study passenger requirements, traffic congestion and the need for night services on additional corridors.
The government ultimately aimed to strengthen Hyderabad’s public transport network while progressively improving round-the-clock connectivity, the Minister said.