BRS Leader Criticizes Telangana Government for Hiked RTC Bus Fares During Festivals
BRS leader T. Harish Rao slams Telangana government for increasing bus fares during festivals, burdening common people economically.
Hyderabad, October 18 (Daily Kiran) : T. Harish Rao, the deputy leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), criticized the Telangana government on Sunday for raising bus fares of the state road transport corporation (RTC) during the festive season. Speaking in the Telangana Assembly, he questioned Chief Minister Revanth Reddy about the government’s policy of imposing arbitrary fare hikes during every festival, which he claimed places an undue financial burden on the public.
In a statement, Rao expressed his dismay over the decision to double ticket prices during celebrations like Bathukamma and Dasara, instead of offering gifts to the people. He accused the government of reducing the number of regular bus services while charging higher fares under the guise of special festival services.
Rao highlighted specific fare increases, noting that the cost for a bus ride from JBS in Secunderabad to Karimnagar has surged from ₹230 to ₹400. Similarly, the fare from Mahbubnagar to Hyderabad’s MGBS has jumped from ₹220 to over ₹290.
The BRS leader pointed out that the doubling of fares across all routes is impacting the joy of festivals for ordinary citizens. He claimed that the government is placing ‘festival special’ signs on regular buses without increasing the total number of RTC buses, attempting to justify the fare hikes.
Rao also questioned the government’s initiative to offer free bus travel for women, stating that while women may ride for free, men are charged double the fare. He posed a critical question: if a wife’s ticket is free but her husband pays double, can this truly be considered a concession for women, or is it merely shifting the financial burden within families?
He asserted that the Congress government has raised RTC bus fares five times in its three-year tenure, and the latest increase during the festive season is exacerbating difficulties for the common people. Rao remarked that due to the government’s approach, many from the lower and middle classes are hesitant to return to their hometowns for the festivals.
The BRS leader called on the state government to respond promptly and retract the fare hikes implemented during the festive period. He urged that regular bus services be reinstated to alleviate the financial strain on the lower and middle classes.
