Scrapped buses turn bio-toilets to relieve TSRTC employees at the end of their shifts

Hyderabad: To make it convenient for employees while changing their shifts, Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) has arranged for bio-toilet buses at changeover points. Transport Minister Ajay Puvvada inaugurated the same on Friday at Hakimpet depot.

These bio-toilets are made by converting scrapped buses that have travelled more than 15 lakh kilometres and deemed unfit for public transport. The workshop at Miyapur depot has received more such abandoned buses to be converted to bio-toilets. TSRTC officials note that 32 such bio-toilets might start working in the state.

Currently, nine bio-toilet buses will be released into city limits at nine changeover locations where employees had no necessary facilities while changing their shifts. Each bio-toilet coach has two toilets — designated for men and female — a washbasin, and a relaxing area with seating arrangements.

Many TSRTC employees, especially women, are happy about the new arrangement. “We had to wait for a long time to use toilets after completing our 8 to 9-hour shifts. It used to be problematic for pregnant ladies and women who were having their periods. Many depots don’t have separate toilets for women, and most of them were very unclean. Now, thanks to these bio-toilets, we are relieved a bit. We hope more such facilities would come in for the welfare of employees,” said a woman conductor from the Hakimpet depot.

On the same day, TSRTC also launched its Parcel and Cargo services to increase revenue for the Corporation. About 800 such services are also expected across the state over time.