RTC exclusive services find few takers in IT hub

HYDERABAD: IT companies, despite repeatedly being appro-ached by the RTC, have very little interest in tie-ups for exclusive bus services. Apart from a few firms, most of the IT companies say that their employees are not in favour of bus services.

So far, the newer IT parks and campuses in Adibatla, Pocharam and Ghatkesar do not have proper bus connectivity.

Exclusive bus service on hire for IT companies were aimed at increasing staff safety.

The RTC runs about 800 bus services in the IT hub, from the Gachibowli Financial District, up to Maheshwaram, but IT companies say that most buses only get to the main roads. To reach the interior areas, at least 3,000 more buses are required.

“As of now, in Hyderabad, very few IT parks and companies have tie-ups with the RTC because employees prefer to take cabs. In fact, the Adibatla and Pocharam campuses of Infosys, TCS and Cognizant have no bus connectivity.

Many companies have a shuttle service for their employees before 8 pm upto the nearest MMTS station.

The RTC is concentrating on Madhapur and Gachibowli areas, but not covering the newly developing areas,” said Sundeep Kumar Makthala of Telangana IT Association).

“More than anything else, many professionals like me want an increase in passenger amenities like bus shelters and better connectivity within the IT corridor.

Once I get down near Shilparamam, I have to walk for three km to reach my office. The stretch becomes deserted in the evening hours and I end up taking autorickshaws. The autorickshaw drivers charge as per their whims,” said Sirisha Rao, a BPO professional.

Meanwhile, the RTC, which is frequently accused of not extending services to the IT corridor, says that the HMDA did not include public transport in its development plans, leaving the Corporation no space to operate from.  

“The condition of the roads is such that we do not even have space to set up bus stands in several areas.

The IT corridor, in particular, has been improperly planned without keeping in mind the requirement of public transport and related amenities like bus stands and depots.

We had made several requests to the former APIIC to provide space for RTC bus stands in the IT corridor, but nothing has materialised to date,” said a senior official.