Sun Dec 07 18:45:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a rewritten news article based on it.
Summary
The article discusses the challenges facing the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) in Hyderabad. It highlights how successive governments have deprioritized public transport, leading to fare hikes, a stagnant bus fleet, and a decline in the proportion of the population served by buses. Recent fare increases by the Congress government have been criticized, and past measures like safety cesses and rounding off fares have also added to passenger costs. The article compares the TGSRTC unfavorably to Bengaluru’s BMTC in terms of fleet size. While the Mahalakshmi Scheme has increased bus occupancy, it also underscores the need for more buses. The article also touches upon accessibility issues, labor concerns (the 2019 strike and the unfulfilled promise of merging the corporation into the government), and the argument that the TGSRTC loses money in the Hyderabad zone. It concludes by advocating for investment in a high-quality, affordable, and accessible public transport system to reduce traffic, pollution, and increase confidence in public transport.
News Article
Hyderabad Public Transport in Crisis: Fare Hikes and Stagnant Fleet Plague TGSRTC
Hyderabad, December 8, 2025 – Hyderabad’s public transport system is facing a critical juncture, with the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) struggling to meet the needs of the city’s growing population. A combination of fare increases, a stagnant bus fleet, and accessibility issues are contributing to a decline in the use of public transport, raising concerns about traffic congestion, pollution, and overall accessibility.
Recent fare hikes, approved by the Congress government in October, have drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties and placed a financial strain on commuters, particularly students. These increases follow a pattern of measures over the years that have effectively increased fares, including the introduction of a safety cess in 2022 and the practice of rounding off fares.
“Passengers are burdened with frequent hikes,” says Mr. K. Raju, a local commuter. “It’s not only becoming expensive but unreliable as the availability of buses haven’t increased over the past decade.”
Data reveals a troubling trend. The proportion of the city’s population served by TGSRTC buses has nearly halved in the last decade, falling from 42% to just 25%. Meanwhile, private vehicle ownership has exploded, with over 1,500 new vehicles hitting Hyderabad’s roads each day.
A comparison with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) paints a stark picture. While TGSRTC operates 2,927 buses, Bengaluru boasts a fleet of 7,047.
The Mahalakshmi Scheme, offering free bus rides to women, has significantly increased bus occupancy rates, often exceeding 90%. This success, however, highlights the urgent need for more buses to accommodate the growing demand.
Accessibility remains a key challenge. Despite a high volume of daily trips on City Ordinary services, a majority of these are conducted by high floor buses, excluding disabled and older passengers.
The TGSRTC has also faced internal challenges, including a 52-day strike in 2019, during which workers demanded the corporation’s absorption into the government. While a bill was passed to this effect in 2023, the merger remains unrealized, and union recognition is still pending.
Transportation experts are calling for a fundamental shift in approach. “Public transport is a public service, not just a profit-making entity,” argues Dr. Meena Sharma, a transport researcher from Hyderabad. “Investment in a high-quality, affordable, and accessible system is essential. A larger, more reliable fleet can attract commuters back to buses, reducing traffic, improving air quality, and restoring confidence in public transport.”
The future of Hyderabad’s public transport system hinges on the government’s willingness to prioritize and invest in a truly public-oriented approach, addressing the issues of fares, fleet size, accessibility, and worker welfare.
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