Date:11/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/11/stories/2008111159530300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

‘Palle Velugu’ services to be extended to colleges on outskirts

Staff Reporter

To avail of facility, students need to buy Greater Hyderabad Student Bus pass

— Photo: Nagara Gopal

Risky ride: Engineering students travelling precariously in RTC buses on the Uppal-Warangal road.

Hyderabad: Students pursuing engineering and other professional courses in colleges on the city fringes can now travel in district ordinary services better known as ‘Palle Velugu’ buses also.

However, they need to purchase the Greater Hyderabad Student Bus (GHSB) pass for utilising the option.

In addition to the monthly student pass that costs Rs. 85, one needs to pay Rs. 25 extra for every 2 km travelled beyond the sub-urban limits as per the GHSB ticket norms, said RTC Hyderabad zone Executive Director P.V.D Jayasankara Prasad.

On Vikarabad-Parigi route, the Corporation operates nearly 80 ‘Palle Velugu’ buses and plans are afoot to introduce seven more services. Authorities hope that these 87 services will take some load of the city buses and thereby help the students too.

Nominal fare

Depending on the distance to their college from the sub-urban limits, the students will have to pay the extra nominal fare to travel in both city and Palle Velugu buses.

This would not only be convenient for the students, but would also save lot of time for them, he explained.

Meanwhile, RTC authorities who conducted a study on the transportation needs of the students on the Mehditpatnam- Moinabad route on Monday faced a series of complaints from the students. There are over 35 engineering colleges on the route, including those at Gandipet, Chevella and Vikarabad.

“The buses are always packed with students travelling even on footboards. To top it all, buses arrive at irregular frequencies,” said Likitha, a student pointing to a jam-packed 228 route bus from Mehdipatnam to Moinabad.

“At any point of time, the buses in this region are packed to the brim. Taking advantage of the situation, miscreants travelling in buses indulge in eve-teasing and there is no security system,” complained Pujitha, another student.

Over 20 buses are operated daily in this region and another 13 buses, including a ladies special, will be added from Tuesday, said Mr. Prasad.He also said that four home guards and 15 traffic guides would be deployed at the Mehdipatnam and Bapughat stop to ensure hassle-free journey for the students.