Hyderabad: Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Thursday directed TSRTC (TGRTC) officials to increase non-ticket revenue and reduce losses across depots. He held a comprehensive review with top RTC officials at the state Secretariat.
The minister said the Mahalakshmi scheme had resulted in 237 crore free tickets used by women so far, for which the state government had paid ₹7,980 crore. While fare income was stable, Ponnam stressed the need to focus equally on alternative revenue streams.
TGRTC non-ticket revenue push includes depot audits, route upgrades
To address losses in specific depots, Ponnam ordered MD Nagi Reddy to form a special committee to examine local conditions and recommend revival measures. He also asked for an action plan to match the growing demand in Hyderabad with increased bus fleets. The city is expected to receive 2,000 buses under the PM e-Drive scheme, and the minister instructed officials to prepare supporting infrastructure like charging stations.
He asked zonal managers to study demand in new residential colonies and submit route proposals. Specific reference was made to Kollur double-bedroom housing colony in Patancheru, where the minister called for immediate bus service planning. So far this year, 578 new buses have been introduced in the state, and more will be allocated to high-traffic zones.
Recruitment, terminal upgrades, and Medaram plans underway
The minister reviewed recruitment progress for 1,000 driver and 743 shramik posts, currently in the interview stage. He said notifications for 84 traffic supervisor trainees and 114 supervisor trainees would be issued by December-end. These will be filled through TGPSC or the Police Recruitment Board. He also proposed reducing the probation period for conductors appointed under compassionate grounds from three years to two.
With Medaram Jatara approaching, Ponnam ordered fast-tracking of Mulugu bus station construction. For urban congestion, he pushed for modern bus terminals in Fourth City, Uppal, and Aramghar. The Aramghar project involves land swaps with police and RTC.
He further directed that seized vehicles piled up at depots be auctioned after a deadline.
Safety upgrades and women-led fleet expansion
Ponnam reviewed the performance of the Driver Monitoring System in Lahari, Rajadhani, and Garuda buses. The system alerts drivers showing signs of drowsiness or using mobile phones. He stressed continuous training for all drivers, mandatory medical tests, and assigning two drivers per rented bus.
Women’s SHGs are currently operating 150 rental buses under an agreement with SERP. The target is to expand this to 600. During last year’s Medaram Jatara, 3,490 RTC buses transported 16.83 lakh passengers. This year, TGRTC expects 20 lakh passengers and will operate 3,800 buses.
The minister also reviewed revenue from RTC function halls and ordered that unused potential be monetised. A new dormitory for patient attendants is also being expedited at Tarnaka Hospital.
A state-wide Zoom meet with RTC staff will be held soon to brief employees on reforms, Ponnam announced.