Date:01/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/01/stories/2008110153440300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

RTC announces package tours

Correspondent

New CAT cards launch today

Sabarimala tour planned for seven and 11 days
Fare depends on the package selected

VIZIANAGARAM: The Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has announced package tours for Ayyappa devotees and also for tourists during the Kartika month.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Depot Manager T.V.S. Sudhakar said that the package tour for Sabarimala was planned for seven and 11 days and the fare per head had been fixed between Rs.2,965 and Rs.1,970 and Rs. 3,800 and Rs.2,525 respectively depending on the category of bus services such as pushback, deluxe, express and Palle Velugu.

‘Karteeka’ specials

And for the tourists during ‘Karteeka’ month, four packages – Kalinga Darshini, Araku Darshini, Srinivasa Darshini and Siva Darshini – from the depot were planned on Sundays and Tuesdays. The fare per head varies depending on the package selected.

The tour for Siva Darshini was so arranged that devotees leaving the depot at 5 p.m. on Sunday could return by Tuesday morning after having darshan on ‘Kartika Somavaram’ at the Pancharamams at Amaravati, Bhimavaram, Palakole, Draksharamam and Samarlakota. The fare is Rs.500 per adult and Rs.250 per child. In addition to the packages, the RTC would operate special services for the asking. For details contact 9959 56 3777, 9959 22 5620 and 9440 25 0767.

Assistant Manger (traffic) N.V.S. Venugopal, who was present, said K. Veerabhadra Swamy, MLA, would launch two new CAT card schemes on the occasion of State Formation Day on Saturday.