Azharuddin hails Metro–RTC Common Pass as step towards integrated transport

Hyderabad: Minorities Welfare Minister Mohammed Azharuddin on Friday welcomed the launch of the Metro-RTC Common Pass. He called it an important step towards a more convenient, efficient and integrated public transport system. The Telangana Government, TGSRTC and HMRL launched the pass.

Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka took part in the launch programme. Ministers Ponnam Prabhakar and Dr. Vivek Venkatswamy, MLC Addanki Dayakar and others also attended. The Deputy Chief Minister bought one-day Common Passes for Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, himself and 14 other ministers.

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said the Deputy Chief Minister and ministers will travel by Metro on Saturday. They will start from Begumpet at 10 am using the Common Pass.

Speaking at the event, Azharuddin said infrastructure development would achieve its full purpose only with an efficient, comfortable and accessible public transport system. “Along with infrastructure development, an effective and comfortable public transport system is equally essential,” he said. He added that Telangana’s public transport system has developed significantly. He appreciated the efforts of the Transport Department.

Azharuddin said the initiative would not have been possible without the Chief Minister’s support. He also credited the Deputy Chief Minister’s guidance and the initiative taken by Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar. He appreciated the Transport Department’s efforts under Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy’s leadership.

“I specially congratulate Minister Ponnam Prabhakar and his team for their hard work in making this programme possible,” he said. He also congratulated TGSRTC MD Nagireddy, the Metro team, including Satyanaarayana, and all officials and staff who worked on the initiative. He congratulated Transport Department officials, TGSRTC and Metro teams for strengthening public transport.

From footboard travel to the Metro-RTC Common Pass

Recalling his younger days, Azharuddin said he travelled mostly by bus. Footboard travel was common at the time, he said. “I myself travelled on the footboard two or three times near Begumpet Circle when I was young. On one occasion, someone pushed me from behind and I fell down. I was around 15 or 16 years old at the time,” he recalled. He said financial circumstances then often made bus travel the only available option. Journeys were not as comfortable as they are today.

“Today, the situation has changed completely,” he said. He said Telangana now has a much-improved and accessible public transport system. He added that he travels to many parts of the country, including Delhi. He said he is very happy to see the progress in Telangana’s public transport sector.

Welcoming the pass, Azharuddin called the move to bring Metro and RTC bus services under a common pass system an excellent initiative. He said passengers will be able to use both Metro and bus services during the same journey. “It will save passengers both time and money while making their travel more convenient,” he said. He said the initiative reflected the government’s efforts to integrate different modes of public transport. Those efforts, he said, are aimed at seamless connectivity for commuters.

Metro-RTC Common Pass part of wider integration push

Ponnam Prabhakar said the government is working to strengthen public transport by integrating RTC, Metro and auto-rickshaw services. The focus is on first-mile and last-mile connectivity. He said the government is also taking steps to address the welfare and livelihood concerns of auto drivers. The government will initiate the process of establishing an Auto Workers Welfare Board.

The Minister said auto fares had remained unchanged for nearly 12 years. The government revised them keeping in view both commuter interests and the livelihood of auto drivers.

Ponnam also appealed to Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka to increase the monthly financial support to RTC from ₹300 crore to ₹350 crore. The increase would include an additional ₹50 crore. He also asked him to address the pending issues of retired RTC employees. He said the Mahalakshmi scheme, which provides free bus travel to women, had increased the responsibility of RTC employees. He appreciated drivers, conductors and other staff for effectively handling the additional passenger load.

The government aims to further integrate RTC, Metro, autos and other modes of public transport through technology. It also wants to bring more transport services onto a common digital platform in the future. The Metro-RTC Common Pass is expected to make public transport more convenient. It allows commuters to use both Metro and RTC services with a single pass.

Azharuddin said continued strengthening of public transport would benefit commuters. He said better integration of different modes would help improve connectivity, reduce dependence on private vehicles and contribute towards addressing traffic congestion and pollution. The government has accorded high priority to public transport under Vision-2047. It is working towards a comprehensive, safe, affordable and technology-enabled transport system for future generations.