Sankranti rush: Minister for Transport warns private bus operators in A.P. against fleecing passengers

Minister for Transport M. Ramprasad Reddy on Tuesday (January 13) issued a stern warning to private bus operators against fleecing the passengers by collecting excess fares from them during the Sankranthi festival season.

In a statement, the Minister said if a private bus operator was found to be increasing bus fares in violation of the rule book, his vehicle would be seized. He said despite the festival rush, the government had decided to continue the free bus travel facility for women during the festival season. No additional bus fares would be charged by the AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC), he said, adding that it was a festival gift from the government to the people of the State.

The Minister said the authorities concerned had taken adequate measures to ensure smooth travel for passengers going to their native place during the festival season and extended them warm Sankranti wishes.

The APSRTC, meanwhile, has launched Cargo Promotion Month, from December 20 to January 19, 2026, to promote its cargo services.

To provide a boost to the ongoing drive, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of APSRTC Ch. Dwaraka Tirumala Rao visited the RTC cargo office located in the arrival block of the Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS), Vijayawada on Monday and dispatched the book “Don’t Lose you Mind, Lose your Weight” authored by Rujuta Diwakar, to all the district officers and Executive Directors of the APSRTC zones through the delivery service, paying from his own pocket ₹ 20,000 towards the cost of the books and the cargo services.

Mr. Tirumala Rao urged the APSRTC employees to actively contribute to the success of the Cargo Promotion Month by creating awareness and encouraging increased use of the RTC cargo door-delivery bookings.

The programme was attended by APSRTC Executive Director (Engineering) G.V. Ravi Varma, cargo wing officials and other officials.