Home / Business and Economy / Telangana RTC Redesigns Routes for Better Ridership
Telangana RTC Redesigns Routes for Better Ridership
20 Aug
Summary
- RTC is redesigning bus schedules based on actual passenger demand.
- The Mahalakshmi scheme has significantly increased women's bus travel.
- New schedules aim to reduce operational wastage and improve efficiency.
The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) is undertaking a significant initiative named SMART (Schedule Management According to Ridership Trends) to overhaul its bus scheduling across the state. This depot-wise review aims to adapt bus routes and timings to match actual passenger demand, moving away from outdated, fixed schedules.
Travel patterns have shifted considerably in recent years. The implementation of the Mahalakshmi free bus travel scheme has notably boosted the number of women using RTC services. Concurrently, urban growth, industrial development, and expanding educational institutions have altered commuting habits, creating uneven passenger demand throughout the day and across different routes.
The SMART exercise involves detailed analysis of passenger movement on individual routes and at various times. Services with low ridership may be reduced, shifted, or retimed, while high-demand periods and routes will receive increased service. This strategic adjustment is expected to curtail operational wastage, such as fuel and manpower expenditure on underutilized services.
An innovative approach being considered is optimizing overnight bus management. On routes with minimal return passengers late at night, buses may remain at their destination to commence early morning services, thereby saving fuel on empty return trips and enhancing early availability. This scheduling overhaul applies to both rural and urban areas, reflecting broader changes in passenger movement.
