Hyderabad: KTR, Harish Rao travel by TGSRTC buses to protest fare hike, privatization

Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) held a unique bus protest against the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) fare hike and purported privatization plans in Hyderabad on Thursday.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) and senior leader T Harish Rao travelled on Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) buses to highlight alleged privatization plans and public inconvenience.

KTR criticises fare hikes and privatization

Boarding the 2J bus service as part of the party’s Chalo Bus Bhavan campaign, KTR condemned the “irrational” fare hikes. He pointed out that while city buses are claimed to be free for women, the service remains inadequate, with insufficient buses and seating.

“Instead of reducing services, the government should increase the fleet. Doubling fares for men and hiking student bus pass fees only burdens families,” KTR said.

He also accused the government of privatizing RTC services, citing that the profitable RTC Cargo service was handed to private operators for just ₹36 crore, despite earning Rs 100 crore annually.

Harish Rao alleges RTC asset sell-off

BRS leader Harish Rao, travelling on the 113 I/M bus service from Mehdipatnam to Bus Bhavan, accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of planning to privatize RTC to benefit contractors.

He claimed that RTC workshops are being sold, bus stands mortgaged for Rs 1,500 crore, and buses handed to private operators at Rs 59 per km.

He highlighted fare hikes on key routes, such as Mehdipatnam–Secunderabad (Rs 25 to Rs 35) and ECIL–Secunderabad (Rs 20 to Rs 30), while promised benefits like pension hikes, farm loan waivers, and the Mahalakshmi scheme remain pending.

House Arrest of BRS leaders ahead of the Protest

Earlier in the day, KTR, Harish Rao, and other party leaders were placed under house arrest to prevent participation in the Chalo Bus Bhavan protest. KTR condemned the move, stating the party intended a peaceful protest and criticized the heavy police deployment outside his residence.

BRS leaders meet RTC MD, demand rollback of fare hikes

Later, BRS leaders met TGSRTC Managing Director N Nagireddy, demanding the rollback of recent bus fare hikes. The BRS delegation handed over a letter to the RTC MD on behalf of the party, seeking clarification on pending government dues.

During the meeting, the leaders inquired about outstanding payments under various schemes, including the ‘Mahalakshmi’ scheme, for which Rs 1,353 crore is reportedly still pending, according to Nagireddy.

RTC grants released, but leaders allege Government Conspiracy

BRS leaders also stated that the government had released Rs 9,246 crore in grants under the TSRTC, but alleged that it was attempting to destabilize the corporation. The party accused the government of plotting to privatize RTC, raising serious concerns about the future of the state-run transport service.

Public discontent over fare hikes

The fare hikes, implemented from October 6, affect City Ordinary, Metro Express, E-Ordinary, and E-Express buses, with passengers paying an extra Rs 5 for the first three stages and Rs 10 from the fourth stage onwards. Metro Deluxe and E-Metro AC services charge Rs 5 extra for the first stage and Rs 10 from the second stage.

KTR criticized the move, saying it burdens commuters already facing high household expenses, estimating an extra Rs 500 per month per passenger.