Vijayawada: The new Corona buses introduced by Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) to its fleet have started plying on Friday. Transport minister K. Acchennaidu inaugurated 15 buses at Pundit Nehru Bus Terminal. He even took the wheel to drive the bus for a distance along with his Cabinet colleague Devin-eni Umamaheswara Rao and senior officials of the APSRTC.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Acchennaidu said that the government intends to add air-conditioned buses to all RTC depots in the state. He said all steps are being taken to pull APSRTC out from losses. Keeping the passenger requirements in mind, the RTC is updating its fleet to serve the passengers better, he said.
Out of the 15 Corona buses that have started operations on Friday, nine will run between Vijayawada and Hyderabad, four buses between Vijayawada and Bangalore and two buses between Vijayawada and Chennai. APSRTC has ordered 100 new Corona buses to induct in Garuda and Garuda+ categories. However, the company has delivered only 15 buses in the first phase. The APSRTC is presently having seven Vennela Sleeper buses, 45 Amaravati multi-axel buses, 68 Garuda and 97 Indra buses in its air-conditioned luxury service category. The newly introduced Corona buses will replace the existing Garuda buses.
