In a major move to facilitate festive travel, the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is gearing up to operate a significant number of additional bus services from Visakhapatnam during the upcoming Sankranti festival. The corporation aims to prevent private operators from charging exorbitant fares and manage the expected passenger surge.
Massive Scale of Additional Services
The APSRTC plans to run approximately 1,500 extra bus services specifically from Visakhapatnam during the Sankranti festival days. This initiative is part of a larger state-wide plan to operate more than 7,500 additional services across Andhra Pradesh between the second and third weeks of January. The focus remains on keeping fares at regular service rates, thereby protecting passengers from being fleeced by private operators.
This year's planned deployment marks a substantial increase compared to previous years. For reference, the corporation operated over 6,500 special bus services during Sankranti in January 2024 and more than 7,000 in January 2025. From Visakhapatnam alone, over 1,000 special services were run for the 2025 festival.
Extensive Network: Cities and Rural Areas Covered
The additional services from Vizag will connect a wide array of destinations. Key long-distance cities include:
- Hyderabad
- Rajahmundry
- Kakinada
- Amalapuram
- Tirupati
- Bhimavaram
- Vijayawada
- Guntur
Furthermore, services will extensively cover rural areas in the North Andhra region to ensure connectivity for all passengers. These areas include Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Palasa, Ichchapuram, Tekkali, Parvathipuram, Palakonda, Saluru, and Bobbili.
Action Plan and Passenger Benefits
B Appala Naidu, the RTC Regional Manager in Visakhapatnam, confirmed that an action plan is being prepared. He recently held a review meeting with depot managers, instructing them to schedule additional services based on real-time demand. The special services will cater to all passengers, with considerations for schemes like Stree Shakti for women.
The additional bus services are scheduled to commence operations from January 12 and will continue for five days even after the Kanuma festival. In a passenger-friendly move, the RTC had also announced a 10% discount on advance tickets during the previous festival period, a benefit that may continue.
The corporation's strategy also involves managing congestion at major transportation hubs across the state, including Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Guntur, Nellore, Kakinada, Anantapuram, Kurnool, and Kadapa. By providing ample, affordable public transport, APSRTC is taking a strong stand to regulate festive travel and ensure a smoother experience for thousands of passengers returning home for Sankranti celebrations.
