Plan for free travel for women hits brake in Old City due to lack of bus routes

Hyderabad: The Telangana government’s initiative of making bus travel free for women of the state has hit a roadblock for thousands in the older parts of Hyderabad, specifically the Old City area.

The absence of adequate bus services in these localities is preventing women from benefiting from the free travel initiative, leading to increased dependence on alternative transport modes.

Forced to opt for alternative means

Over time, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has gradually withdrawn bus services from various areas in the Old City, leaving students, office-goers, and residents reliant on auto-rickshaws to reach their destinations or the nearest bus stops.

Previously operational routes, including those from Yakutpura SRT colony, Bagh-e-Jahara, Chanchalguda Rahmatia School, Nawab Sahab Kunta, Teegalkunta, Vattepally Nice Hotel, Indiranagar Hassannagar, Ghousenagar Bandlaguda, Wadi–e Mustafa, Bismillah colony, Shaheehnagar, and Rein Bazaar to Charminar, Koti and Nampally, have seen a decline in bus services.

“Since the Covid pandemic, the bus services were withdrawn by the TSRTC. Students and office-goers still purchase bus passes but spend an equal amount on sharing auto fares,” said social activist Mohd Rahman from Tallabkatta, highlighting the impact of the withdrawal of public commutes.

Longer and costlier travel times

Residents expressed frustration with challenges that come from the lack of public transport such as increased expenditure on commuting and longer travel times, which has become the norm now.

The absence of buses on key routes has disrupted the daily routines of the working class, exemplified by the discontinuation of bus number 178 between Vattepally and Charminar.

Call for reinstating services

Residents are proposing viable solutions, suggesting that widened road stretches could accommodate new bus routes, providing essential connectivity for residents. For instance, the road stretch between Shahalibanda Volga Hotel to Bahadurpura via Fateh Darwaza is identified as a potential route for new bus services connecting Charminar to Kishanbagh or Aramgarh.

Aakiff Parzada, a social worker, emphasised the importance of TSRTC prioritizing citizens’ convenience over revenue generation. He suggested that at least in the mornings and evenings, bus services should be reinstated on withdrawn routes.

Renewal of bus services under review, says TSRTC

In response to the concerns raised, a TSRTC official mentioned that the mini-buses introduced in the Old City were phased out over time. “If new mini-buses are purchased and allotted, we will definitely run on the routes. If public representatives approach us, we will certainly take a call,” the official said.

TSRTC managing director, VC Sajjanar, assured that the complaints about the withdrawal of bus services are under review. He stated, “After the review is done, we will go through the details and take appropriate steps to revive the bus services.”

As the State government’s ‘free travel for women’ initiative faces challenges due to the lack of bus services, residents and activists are hopeful that a comprehensive review by TSRTC will lead to concrete measures to reinstate and enhance public transportation in the affected areas.